Fertilizer Use Malaysia

Fertilizer use by crop
in Malaysia
Fertilizer use by crop

in Malaysia
Land and Plant Nutrition Management Service

Land and Water Development Division
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Rome, 2004
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the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations concerning the legal or development status of
any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or
concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Fertilizer use by crop in Malaysia

First version, published by FAO, Rome, 2004
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FAO
2004
iii
Contents
Abstract
vii
Acknowldegements
viii
Preface
ix
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
Background
Farming and Cropping Systems
2. Agro-ecological zones
West or Peninsular Malaysia
East Malaysia
3. The fertilizer sector
13
Mineral fertilizers
13
Organic fertilizers
13
Production and marketing
14
Imports and exports
16
4. Fertilizer consumption by crop
21
Industrial crops
22
Fruit crops
27
Vegetable crops
27
Cash crops
28
Spices
29
5. Profitability of fertilizer use
31
Fertilizer and crop prices
31
6. The future of fertilizer use
35
Site-specific management
35
Integrated farming systems
35
iv
References
37
Annexes
1. Fertilizer use recommendation
41
2. Crop names
43
3. Fruit crops
45
4. Vegetable crops
51
5. Cash crops, spices and other crops
55
List of figures
1.
Agro-ecological regions of Peninsular Malaysia
2.
Dominant soil map of Malaysia
3.
Agro-ecological regions of Sarawak
10
4.
Marketing and distribution channel of fertilizers in Malaysia
16
5.
Fertilizer imports: quantity
18
6.
Fertilizer imports: value
18
7.
Urea exports
19
vi
List of tables
1.
Agricultural production (000 tonnes), 1995 and 2000,

forecast to 2005
2.
Matrix of suitable and marginally suitable crops

recommended for cultivation in States of Malaysia
3.
Summary of the characteristics of the AEZ of Sarawak
11
4.
Number and area of organic producers per State in 2001
14
5.
Fertilizer imports
17
6.
Fertilizer nutrient consumption by crop groups (000 tonnes)
21
7.
Rubber: harvested area and average yield
22
8.
Oil-palm: harvested area and average FFB yield
23
9.
Coconut: harvested area and average yield
23
10. Paddy: harvested area and average yield
24
11. Cocoa: harvested area and average yield
24
12. Tobacco: harvested area and average yield
24
13. Rubber: estimated a fertilizer use
25
14. Oil-palm: estimated a fertilizer use
25
15. Coconut: estimated fertilizer use
26
16. Paddy: estimated fertilizer use
26
17. Cocoa: estimated fertilizer use
26
19. Summary of fertilizer use: Industrial crops
27
18. Tobacco: estimated fertilizer use
27
20. Fruit crops: summary of total fertilizer use
28
21. Vegetable crops: summary of total fertilizer use
28
22. Cash crops: summary of total fertilizer use
29
23. Spices: summary of total fertilizer use
29
24. Farm gate selling prices of crop produce
32
25. Fertilizer prices (RM) in December 2003 per 50-kg bag

of selected fertilizer products in various states
33
26. Crop fertilizer price ratios in 2003 for selected fruit

and vegetable crops
33
vii
Abstract
Agriculture has played a key role in the development of modern Malaysia,
resulting in the country becoming the worlds leading palm oil producer
and the third largest producer of natural rubber. Agriculture continues
to make a significant contribution to the national economy. In 2003,
the agriculture sector registered a growth of 5.5 percent, following
in importance the manufacturing and the service sectors. In 2004, the
government of Malaysia declared the agriculture sector to be the third
engine of growth.
The governments policy towards agriculture focuses on increasing
production, in order to achieve food self-sufficiency and to develop
exports in an efficient and competitive manner. For the crops sector, this
effectively means expansion and/or intensification of cultivation, resulting
in an increased need for and a more efficient use of agricultural inputs,
particularly mineral fertilizers.
Malaysia imports most of its fertilizer requirements but exports large
quantities of urea fertilizer.
The government provides subsidies to smallholder farmers for the
purchase of fertilizers, through farmers associations. Owing to the
large number of distributors and companies involved in the fertilizer
trade, fertilizers are accessible to farmers in all parts of the country, at
competitive prices.
Oil-palm is the crop that consumes by far the largest quantity of
fertilizer in Malaysia, as a result of the large area planted to oil-palm, both
in plantations and under the smallholders management system. Other
factors are the palms high requirements for potassium and phosphorus
fixation by the mainly acidic soils of the country.
The use of organic fertilizers is increasing, especially on vegetable
farms, for environmental reasons and as a result of consumer concern
about hazards from mineral fertilizers.
It is expected that, with a more efficient management of mineral
fertilizers, the adoption of site-specific fertilizer management, integrated
farming and organic farming systems, the use of mineral fertilizers will
stabilize in future.
viii
Acknowledgements
Professor Zaharah Abdul Rahman of the Department of Land Management
of Universiti Putra Malaysia compiled this report. Data and maps for this
report were obtained from various government agencies including the
Departments of Agriculture of Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah
and the Department of Statistics.
The study benefited from the contributions of K. Isherwood; J. Poulisse
and T. van den Bergen, FAO Land and Water Development Division.
The background photograph (tea) is from FAO Mediabase: FAO/
17352/Faidutti. The source of the other photographs is EcoPort made by
R. Pellis (jackfruit), S. Saamin (starfruit) and Pamol Plantations (oil-palm).
ix
Preface
This study, commissioned by the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations (FAO), is one of a series of publications on fertilizer
use on crops in different countries.
The aim of the series is to examine the agro-ecological conditions, the
structure of farming, cropping patterns, the availability and use of mineral
and organic plant nutrients, the economics of fertilizers, research and
advisory requirements and other factors that have led to present fertilizer
usage. The reports examine, country by country, the factors that will or
should determine the future development of plant nutrition.
During the past two decades, increasing attention has been paid to the
adverse environmental impact of both the under use and the over use of
plant nutrients. The efficient use of plant nutrients, whether from mineral
fertilizers or from other sources, involves the shared responsibility
of many segments of society, including international organizations,
governments, the fertilizer industry, agricultural research and advisory
bodies, traders and farmers. The publications in the series are addressed
to all these parties.
Fertilizer use is not an end in itself. Rather it is a means of achieving
increased food and fibre production. Increased agricultural production and
food availability can, in turn, be seen as an objective for the agricultural
sector in the context of contributing to the broader macroeconomic
objectives of society. A review of the options available to policy-makers
is given in the FAO/International Fertilizer Industry Association 1999
publication entitled Fertilizer Strategies.
The contents of the series studies differ considerably from country to
country, in view of their different structures, histories and food situation.
But in each case the aim is to arrive at a better understanding of the
nutrition of crops in the country concerned.
Abbreviations
AEZ
APO
a.s.l.
CAE
CETDEM
Agro-ecological zone
Asian Productivity Organization
above sea level
Crop Area Equivalent
Centre for Environment, Technology and Development,
Malaysia
DOA
Department of Agriculture
DOS
Department of Statistics
EFB
Empty Fruit Bunches
EPU
Economic Planning Unit
FADINAP Fertilizer Advisory, Development and Information Network
for Asia and the Pacific
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FCR
Fertilizer Cost Ratio
FELCRA Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority
FELDA
Federal Land Development Authority
FFB
Fresh Fruit Bunch
FOA
Farmers Organization Authority
FUE
Fertilizer Use Efficiency
IBSRAM
International Board for Soil Research and Management
IFS
Integrated Farming Systems
MADI
Malaysian Agricultural Directory and Index
MARDI
Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute
MCB
Malaysian Cocoa Board
MOA
Ministry of Agriculture
MPI
Ministry of Primary Industries
MPOB
Malaysian Palm Oil Board
MRB
Malaysian Rubber Board
NAP3
Third National Agricultural Policy
POME
Palm Oil Mill Effluent
PPD
Plant Population Density (per hectare)
xi
RAPA
RISDA
RM
SEDC
SSM
TE
t/ha
VRA
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority
Malaysian Ringgit
State Economic Development Corporation
Site Specific Management
Trace Elements
Tonnes per hectare
Variable Rate Application
Chapter 1
Introduction
BACKGROUND
Agriculture has played a vital role in the development of modern Malaysia
and continues to make a significant contribution to the national economy.
The plantation sector, especially oil-palm, still leads the world in terms of
vegetable oil production and research and development.
Malaysias agriculture sector was accorded renewed and extra
importance by the government after the economic crisis of 1997, with a
particular drive to reduce the food importation bill. The balance of trade
in the food sector in 2001 was RM6.1 billion (US$1.6 billion). In the
year 2002, Malaysia's import and export of food was RM13 billion and
RM7 billion, respectively. This represented an import deficit bill of RM6
million. Meeting the challenge of enhanced and more efficient agricultural
TABLE 1
Agricultural production (000 tonnes), 1995 and 2000, forecast to 2005

Commodity
1995
2000
Rubber
1 089
616
560
Crude Palm Oil
7 811
10 840
12 416
Cocoa
131
70
115
Pepper
13
24
30
140
184
264
Pineapple
Tobacco
2005
10
11
15
Paddy
2 127
2 235
2 813
Fruits1
1 020
1 376
1 982
718
1 019
1 390
1 389
550
824
Vegetables1
Coconut2
1
Refers to commercial cultivation.

2
Measured in million units.
Source: Eighth Malaysia Plan, 2001-2005.
production was one of the primary objectives for increasing the exports
and reducing the imports of agricultural commodities.
The government formulated a strategic agricultural development
master plan, referred to as The Third National Agricultural Policy or
NAP3 for 1998 2010 (Ministry of Agriculture, 1999). The projected sales
target for food crops between the years 2001 to 2005 was set at RM27
billion (US$7.1 billion).
The projected increases in agricultural production to the year 2005
for some crops are shown in Table 1 (Economic Planning Unit, 2001).
An inevitable result of this policy for enhanced agricultural growth is
the expansion and/or further intensification of land use for agriculture.
Between 1995 and 2000, agricultural land use increased from about 5.7
million hectares to about 6.0 million hectares.
The importance of fertilizers cannot be sufficiently emphasized for
achieving increased crop production. The cultivation of high yielding crop
varieties requires a high and regular supply of macro- and micronutrients
to achieve sustained and high crop growth and yield. The government
provides an attractive and motivating environment for this purpose,
including incentives for the development, expansion and modernization
of the fertilizer industry, in order to meet the challenges of competition
in the agriculture industry. Since fertilizer is usually the largest variable
cost item in a crop farm budget, these incentives or actions are intended
to improve efficiency in the fertilizer industry and to minimize fertilizer
prices.
FARMING AND CROPPING SYSTEMS
Although rice (paddy) cultivation is the major food crop enterprise in
Malaysia, accounting for about 0.67 million ha for all seasons in 2001
(Ministry of Agriculture, 2003), oil-palm, rubber, coconut and durian also
occupy large areas in the agricultural cropping systems. In 2001, there
were 3.63, 1.57, 0.15 and 0.12 million ha of oil-palm, rubber, coconut and
durian, respectively. Together with paddy, these crops covered almost 97
percent of the total cultivated agricultural land in Malaysia (Department
of Agriculture, 2003).
Three farm categories exist for crop production, namely the
smallholders, the new land development schemes and the large commercial
Chapter 1 Introduction
(estate or plantation) holdings. The new land development schemes

(FELDA, FELCRA and State Economic Development Corporation
- SEDC) are initiated by the public sector. The FELDA schemes have
holding sizes of 4.04 ha of agriculture area (planted with oil-palm or
rubber) and a 0.10 ha house lot for each farm-holding family.
The smallholdings are those whose area is less than 40 ha, the majority
having on average between 0.5 and 3.0 ha. These smallholders usually
practice some form of mixed cropping, mostly food crops. Small farm
sizes have been a major cause of the low incomes of many smallholders,
due to diseconomies of scale. The government of Malaysia, through the
Ministry of Agriculture, is committed to overcome this problem by
grouping small farms into mini-estates and group-farming in order
to achieve economies of scale, better farm resource management and
production sustainability. This is one of the governments policies for
improving the living standards of the rural poor and small farmers.
Large holdings (> 40 ha) are those of the commercial plantations. Their
production is well organized for both local and overseas markets. In
almost all cases, they practice monocropping (Ramli and Wong, 1989).
To sustain high yields under these cropping systems, the application
of large quantities of fertilizers is an important component. According to
the Department of Statistics' figures, in the year 2001 alone, about 1.32
million nutrient tonnes of mineral fertilizers were imported into Malaysia,
costing RM1.14 billion (US$0.3 billion). However, there is a gradual trend
to complement or substitute mineral fertilizers with some form of organic
fertilizers, where feasible. This is a result of increasing fertilizer prices and
the environmental hazards of their use.
Chapter 2
Agro-ecological zones
Malaysia has a total land area of 339 733 km2, consisting of two
geographical regions (West or Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia).
These regions are separated by the South China Sea. Their climatic
and agro-ecological environments are somewhat different despite their
belonging to the same warm humid tropics classification. The two regions
are therefore described separately.
Malaysia characteristically experiences heavy rainfall (2 540 mm
p.a. and above), average daily temperatures of 21-32oC and a humidity
averaging about 85 percent. The seasonal variation in solar radiation is
low, resulting in an annual difference in day length of only 2 minutes
along the equator and 49 minutes in northern regions. In consequence,
there is a year round day length of 12.5 hours (Nieuwolt, 1982).
About 72 percent of Malaysian soils are Ultisols and Oxisols, which
are acidic and highly weathered (International Board for Soil Research
and Management - IBSRAM, 1985). This has implications for phosphate
fertilizer use due to fixation. This problem is dealt with through the
biennial addition of about 2 to 4 t/ha of limestone (Shamshuddin et al.,
1992).
The major regions characteristically have similar rainfall patterns,
lengths of growing period and thermal patterns during the growing
season. There are, however, exceptions in certain highland areas such as
the Cameron Highlands, Pahang, where crops such as tea and strawberries,
that do well in cool environments, are grown.
Data on crop areas and production in Malaysia are based on
classification by state and not on the agro-ecological zones (AEZ).
Therefore, the data presented in this report are on a state basis and, in
some cases, on a regional basis (West and East Malaysia). There is a broad
spectrum of crops grown throughout the country but the predominance of
crops in terms of area and production varies from state to state depending
on the crops suitability to local conditions. This is reflected in the ranking
of crops as suitable (A) and marginally suitable (B) as shown in Table 2 in
the form of a matrix for all the states of Malaysia.
TABLE 2
Matrix of suitable and marginally suitable crops recommended for cultivation in

States of Malaysia
STATE
CROP
Rubber
Coconut
Oil-palm
Cocoa
Coffee
Paddy
Tobacco
Starfruit
Papaya
Cempedak
Durian
Sweet orange
Mango
Mongosteen
Pineapple
Jackfruit
Banana
Rambutan
Water melon
Chinese spinach
Lady's fingers
Chilli
Long bean
Cucumber
Tomato
Hot chilli
Ginger
Pepper
Lime
Lemon grass
Maize
Groundnut
Cassava
Sweet potato
Sago
N
Johor Kedah Kelantan Melaka Sembilan
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
B
A
A
A
B
A
B
B
A
A
B
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
B
A = Suitable; B = Marginally suitable
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
B
B
B
A
-
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
A
A
A
B
B
B
-
Pahang Perak Perlis Pinang Sabah Sarawak Selangor Terengganu
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
-
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
-
B
B
B
A
A
B
B
B
A
A
A
B
B
A
B
B
A
B
B
A
A
A
B
B
B
A
A
A
B
A
B
-
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
-
A
A
A
A
B
-
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
B
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
-
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
B
B
-
Chapter 2 Agro-ecological zones
WEST OR PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

West or Peninsular Malaysia has an area of 131 587 km2 (13.16 million
ha), of which 8.10 million ha is arable. It consists of twelve administrative
states namely Perlis (the smallest), Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Selangor,
Federal Territory (included in Selangor), Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor,
Pahang (the largest), Terengganu, and Kelantan. The area as a whole is
composed of 80 percent lowland and 20 percent highland (Lim and Chan,
1993). The AEZs of West Malaysia are shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows
the major soil groups of Malaysia.
FIGURE 1
Agro-ecological regions of Peninsular Malaysia

102
100 E
104
PERLIS
6
KEDAR
GA
NG
RE
TE
XELANTAR
PERAK
NU
PULAU
PINANG
PAHANG
OR
NG
LA
SE
NEGERI
SEMBILAN
State boundaries
Highland 300 900 a.s.l.
MALACCA
Highland over 900 a.s.l.
N
2
JOHOR
N
2
Regions with a clear and regular dry season

Regions with a short, but fairly regular dry season
Regions without a regular dry season
Areas where Histosols predominate
100 E
Source: Adapted from Nieuwolt et al., 1982.
102
104
FIGURE 2
Dominant soil map of Malaysia

106o
114o
4o
4o
At Ferric Acrisols
Ah Humic Acrisols
Ao Orthic Acrisols
Bf Ferralic Cambisols
Fr Rhodic Ferralsols
Gd Dystric Gleysols
Ge Eutric Gleysols
I Lithosols
Je Eutric Fluvisols
Lk Calcic Luvisols
Lo Orthic Luvisols
Nd Distric Nitosols
Od Dystric Histosols
Pg Gleyic Podzols
Oa Albic Arenosols
Re Eutric Regosols
106o
114o
Original scale 1:5 million

Source: DSMW FAO/UNESCO.
Knowledge about the soils on which fertilizers are to be applied is

important for better fertilizer management and use efficiency. In Malaysia
as a whole, there are three groups of lowland soils considered as problem
soils, namely the sandy soils (Beach ridge [bris] and tin-tailings), peat
and acid-sulphate soils. These soils usually require specific amendments
for successful agricultural use. In Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah, about
155 400 and 40 400 ha of bris soils exist respectively (Thomas, 1966).
In 1995, the total area of tin-tailing areas in Peninsular Malaysia was
estimated to be approximately 200 000 ha. It is estimated that tin-tailing
areas in Peninsular Malaysia are expanding at a rate of 4 000 ha annually
(Aziz, 1995), which gives an estimated area of 236 000 ha in 2004.
There are approximately 2.4 million ha of peat in Malaysia, of which

0.8, 1.5 and 0.1 million ha are located in West Malaysia, Sarawak and
Sabah, respectively.
The problems of the loss of applied fertilizer by leaching are serious
on sandy and peat soils. Farmers adopt appropriate management practices,
such as split application according to crop requirements. For the acid soils,
the main problem as regards fertilizer use is phosphate fixation. This is dealt
with by lime amendment and the direct application of phosphate rocks.
EAST MALAYSIA
East Malaysia consists of two states: Sarawak (123 466 km2) in the
southwest and Sabah (73 711 km2) in the northeast. The total arable land
areas of Sarawak and Sabah are of 5.31 and 2.15 million ha respectively.
The mean annual rainfall in Sarawak is between 2 500 and 5 000 mm,
and is fairly well distributed, with no month below 100 mm (Andriesse,
1968). Similar rainfall conditions exist in Sabah, which is moist and wet
throughout the year, especially towards the interior, a few rain shadow
areas being an exception.
The characteristics of the AEZs and the soils of Sarawak, including
their agricultural suitability, are summarized in Table 3. Most of Sabah
has very steep land. The major soils include Fluvisols and Gleysols (S1),
Lithosols, Regosols and Cambisols (S3), Luvisols and Nitosols (S5),
Acrisols and Ferralsols (S6) and Histosols (S7). The codes in parenthesis
represent equivalent groups proposed by Panabokke (1979). The S3 soils
group includes all the shallow soils of the highlands and the Regosols of
the alluvial plains and is therefore the most extensive. This is followed by
the S6 group, which constitutes the major agricultural soils. Groups S1 and
S5 are less extensive; the S1 group is extensively cultivated with paddy and
the S5 with dry land crops. Group S7 is mainly peat, occurring in relatively
large blocks, and is used largely for commercial pineapple production.
Large areas of S7 are now being opened up for oil-palm and sago. Sarawaks
AEZs are shown in Figure 3. They comprise twelve classes.
10
FIGURE 3
Agro-ecological regions of Sarawak
Leyend
Coastal organic plains
Inland organic plains
Saline clay plains
Lower riverine zone
Upper riverine zone
Undulating + hilly sedimentary
Igneous hilly + mountainous
Mountainous
Dissected karst
Steep mountainous sedimentary
Steep very high mountainous
Freshwater
200 km
Source: Department of Agriculture, Sarawak.
Thionic
Histosols,
Fluvisols
Histosols
Gleysols,
Thionic
Histosols
Fluvisols,
Oxisols,
Podzols
Fluvisols,
Gleysols,
Acrisols
Acrisols,
Luvisols,
Podzols
Oxisols,
Acrisols,
Lithosols /
Regosols
Acrisols and
Lithosols /
Regosols
Inland marshy Alluvio organic 0 - 6o

plains
plains
0 - 6o
0 - 6o
0 - 6o
6 - 25o
6 - 25o
25 - 33o
Alluviocolluvial valley
complex
Shale and
sandstone
hillocky and
hilly slopes
Igneous hilly
- mountainous
uplands
Saline clay
plains
Lower
riverine zone
Upper
riverine zone
Undulating
and hilly
sedimentary
Igneous
hilly and
mountainous
Mountainous
sedimentary
Sandstone
and shale
mountainous
Alluvio plain
complex
Alluvio marine clay

plains
Alluvio-marine
and marine
plains
0 - 6o
Coastal
marshy plains
150 - 300 m
a.s.l.
150 - 900 m
a.s.l.
0 - 150 m
a.s.l.
500 - 1 000 m
a.s.l.
0 - 500 m
a.s.l.
0 - 30 m a.s.l.
0 - 30 m a.s.l.
0 - 30 m a.s.l.
Altitude
Dominant
Soil Type
Terrain
Slope
AEZ
No
Summary of the characteristics of the AEZ of Sarawak
TABLE 3
Wet - very
wet
Very wet,
moist - wet,
temperate
Moist - wet
Temperate,
moist- wet
Very wet
- wet and
moist
Moist to wet
Moist to wet
Moist to wet
Climate
Mixed
dipterocarp hill
forest
Mixed
dipterocarp hill
forest
Dipterocarp
mixed hill forest
Riverine
mountainous
forest
Riverine forest
Mangrove and
swamp forest
Peat, swamp,
forest, marsh
Peat, swamp,
forest
Natural
vegetation
Unsuitable
Generally
unsuitable
Moderate unsuitable
Very good moderate
Very good
Good moderate
Marginal
Marginal to
not suitable
Irrigated
Unsuitable
Good marginal
Good moderate
Good moderate
Good moderate
(Marginal to
not suitable
on Podzols)
Good marginal
Marginal
Marginal
Dry land
Marginal unsuitable
Good moderate
Good moderate
Moderate
- good
Good moderate
Moderate
Marginal after
reclamation
Marginal
Tree crops

11
AEZ
Dissected
Karst
Steep
mountainous
sedimentary
Steep
very high
mountainous
No
10
11
Soil Type
Cambisols,
Lithosols /
Regosols
Acrisols,
Lithosols /
Regosols
Lithosols /
Regosols
Slope
>33o
>33o
>33o
Limestone
mountainous
Sandstone
and shale
steep
mountainous
Shale and
sandstone
steep
mountainous
Terrain
900 - 1 525 m
a.s.l.
300 - 900 m
a.s.l.
30 - 300 m
a.s.l.
Altitude
Dominant
Very wet moist - wet
Very wet,
temperate
Wet - very
wet
Climate
Summary of the characteristics of the AEZ of Sarawak (continued)
TABLE 3
Mixed
dipterocarp hill
forest
Mixed
dipterocarp hill
forest
Mixed
dipterocarp hill
forest
Natural
vegetation
Unsuitable
Unsuitable
Unsuitable
Irrigated
Unsuitable
Unsuitable
Unsuitable
Dry land
Generally
unsuitable
Marginal unsuitable
Marginal unsuitable
Tree crops
12
13
Chapter 3
The fertilizer sector
MINERAL FERTILIZERS
Mineral fertilizers account for more than 90 percent of fertilizers used
by all types of farming systems in Malaysia. The main fertilizers are
urea, ammonium sulphate, calcium ammonium nitrate, phosphate rock,
super phosphates, ammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, potassium
sulphate and NPK, NP and PK compound fertilizers. Due to the rapid
expansion in crop production, especially of plantation crops (rubber, oilpalm and cocoa) there has been a corresponding increase in fertilizer use.
Potassium fertilizers have shown the largest increase. This large increase
in the use of potassium fertilizer is due to the continued expansion of
oil-palm cultivation, which requires significant amounts of this nutrient.
The estimated nutrient removed by oil-palm (producing 25 t/ha fresh fruit
bunches (FFB) per year) are 192, 11, 209, 36 and 71 kg/ha per year of N,
P, K, Mg and Ca, respectively (Goh and Hardter, 2003).
Organic fertilizers
The government is promoting the use of organic fertilizers in Malaysia
for two main reasons. Firstly, organic agriculture is seen as important for
the sustainable use and management of natural resources. Secondly, in the
NAP3, organic agriculture is identified as a niche market opportunity
for fruits and vegetables. In the NAP3, the government is prepared to
provide additional one-off assistance in infrastructural development to
organic farmers, in addition to eligibility for existing credit schemes and
special loans. Organic farmers will also be helped in the marketing of their
produce in the domestic and international market.
In an effort to reduce the dependence on mineral fertilizers and to
move towards more natural and healthier methods of food production,
14
TABLE 4
Number and area of organic producers per State in 2001

State
Selangor
Negri Sembilan
Melaka
Number
4
Area (ha)
10.8
10
90
1.1
Johor
3.5
Pahang
11.6
Sabah
12
Sarawak
27
131
Total
Source: Wai, 2001.
the government is promoting programmes that encourage the recycling

and use of agricultural waste. This includes rice straw and husk, empty
oil-palm fruit bunches (EFB), saw dust, animal droppings, palm oil mill
effluent (POME) and other materials (Faridah, 2001). The use of EFB at
37.5 t/ha per year in oil-palm fields has been shown to increase the FFB
yield significantly and to improve soil exchangeable K, Ca, Mg and the
pH (Lim and Zaharah, 2000).
The Centre of Environment, Technology and Development, Malaysia
(CETDEM) has been involved in many conversions of farms, especially
vegetable producing farms, into organic farms. There are various forms
of organic farming types in Malaysia, including nature farms, biodynamic
farms, ecofarms, permaculture, Kyusu nature farms and Yoko farms
(Hock, 1999). In 2001, there were 27 organic producers covering a total
area of 131 ha (Table 4). This represents a fivefold increase in the number
of organic enterprises compared with 1996. The government plans to
increase the organic production area by 250 ha in the period 2001-2005
(Wai, 2001).
PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

Most of the fertilizer used in Malaysia is produced abroad. Urea,
ammonium based and organic fertilizers are produced in large amounts
but the urea used in Malaysia for agriculture is not locally produced
material. This is because the prilled urea produced in Malaysia fetches
Chapter 3 The fertilizer sector
15
a high price in the international market and is therefore exported. The

parent fertilizer producing company, has two subsidiaries involved in the
production of urea. These are:
one subsidiary was incorporated in 1980 and located in Bintulu,
Sarawak. The plant has a capacity to produce 600 000 tonnes of
granular urea and 420 000 tonnes of prilled urea per annum.
the other came into operation in 1999 and is located in Gurun, Kedah.
It has an annual capacity of 650 000 tonnes granular urea. This second
plant exports about 65 percent of its products to Australia, Thailand
and other South East Asian agricultural countries. The remainder is
sold to the National Farmers Association, Malaysias largest urea
consumer, for distribution in Malaysia.
Most of the companies involved in fertilizer production engage in
the mixing of straight fertilizers to produce compound fertilizers. The
fertilizer industry in Malaysia is efficient and highly competitive. There
are over 50 companies involved in the branded fertilizer trade with
over 350 brands of various forms of fertilizers (Malaysian Agriculture
Directory and Index, 2004).
The normal channels of distribution are shown in Figure 4. The
Government, in its drive to help farmers, particularly smallholders, to
procure fertilizers has:
stimulated fertilizer consumption through subsidy and credit
schemes;
facilitated the supply and distribution of fertilizers through FELDA,
RISDA, FELCRA and FOA;
stimulated the establishment of a large number of distribution points
through farmers cooperatives;
improved the cost-value ratio between fertilizers and agricultural
produce by providing price support;
provided extension services, research on fertilizer use and quality
control (FADINAP, 1984).
The government has also encouraged suppliers to market fertilizers in
packages smaller than 50-kg bags, to allow farmers who cannot afford 50-kg
bags to purchase lesser quantities.
16
FIGURE 4
Marketing and distribution channel of fertilizers in Malaysia

IMPORTERS
PRODUCERS
Government
land
development
and rehabilitation
Statutory
Bodies, eg.
National
Tobacco
Board
Local and
development
schemes
Tobacco
curers
Scheme
members
Tobacco
farmers
National
Farmers'
Association
Farmers
organization/
cooperatives
Members
Wholesalers
private
Estates
agencies
Large
estates
Retailers'
dealers
Small/
medium
estates
Member
estates
Individual
farmers
Field level
Source: FADINAP, 1984.
IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

The total value of fertilizer imported into Malaysia fell from RM1 434
million in 1998 to RM1 144 million in 2001 (Department of Statistics,
2001). The importation of some of the major fertilizers for 2000 and 2001
are compared with 1998 in Table 5 and the imports from 1998 to 2001 are
illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.
There was an increase in total fertilizer imports from 1997 to 2000 but
imports declined by about 26 percent between 2000 and 2001. Figures 5
and 6 show that the greatest increase in imports was that of potassic
fertilizers, due to a rapid increase in area planted to oil-palm.
In 2001, nitrogenous fertilizers were imported from Indonesia (33
percent), the Russian Federation (14 percent), Saudi Arabia (17 percent)
and other countries (37 percent), with a total value of RM83 million.
The importation of phosphatic fertilizers is mainly in the form of
phosphate rock. In 2001, 30, 21, 12 and 26 percent were imported from
Christmas Island, Tunisia, China and Australia respectively. The value of
the imports totaled RM73 million.
17
TABLE 5
Fertilizer imports
1998
2000
2001
Quantity
(000
tonnes)
Value
(million
RM)
Urea
231
114
234
110
173
85
Ammonium sulphate
678
206
723
211
474
152
Calcium ammonium
nitrate
12
0.3
29
14
29
11
930
332
992
338
677
248
Quantity
(000
tonnes)
Value
(million
RM)
Quantity
(000
tonnes)
Value
(million
RM)
Nitrogen
Other nitrogenous
fertilizers
Subtotal
Phosphate
Superphosphate
11
Ammonium phosphate
47
50
62
40
33
25
Phosphate rock (ground)
526
133
428
97
272
60
Phosphate rock
(unground)
79
17
92
19
60
12
Other phosphatic
fertilizers
93
25
131
29
153
36
756
230
718
188
521
135
871
421
1051
517
821
412
36
19
291
153
182
94
132
69
1 168
580
1 242
618
989
500
100
Subtotal
Potash
KCl
K2SO4
Other potassic fertilizers
Subtotal
Others
NPK compounds
157
135
174
129
127
Others *
37
25
10
Subtotal
165
144
211
154
133
110
Guano
Other organic fertilizers
Subtotal
3 026
1 292
3 165
1 300
2 323
996
Organic
Total Malaysia
* Including tablets
As regards potassic fertilizers, in 2001 26, 24, 12, 15 and 25 percent

were imported from the Russian Federation, Canada, the United States,
Japan and other countries respectively, totaling RM493 million.
18
FIGURE 5
Fertilizer imports: quantity
700
' 000 tonnes
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
Years
Nitrogen
Phosphate
Potash
Compounds
FIGURE 6
Fertilizer imports: value

RM million
800
600
400
200
0
1997
1998
Nitrogen
1999
Years
Phosphate
Potash
2000
2001
Compounds
Malaysia exports large quantities of urea and the export value and
the quantity increased between 1997 and 2001 but declined slightly in
2002 (Figure 7). In 2001, RM446 million worth of urea was exported: to
Australia (26 percent), Thailand (22 percent), Vietnam (6 percent), Japan
(7 percent), Korea (4 percent) and other countries (40 percent).
19
FIGURE 7
1 200
500
1 000
400
800
300
600
200
400
100
200
0
0
1997
1998
1999
Quantity
2000
2001
Value
2002
Million RM
Million tonnes
Urea exports
21
Chapter 4
Fertilizer consumption by crop

In this chapter the harvested area, estimated average yields and estimated
use of N, P2O5 and K2O are given for selected crops in Malaysia.
The average yields were estimated from the crop area equivalent
(CAE), harvested area and production data. In each case, the production
data in kg or tonnes was divided by the total area harvested (hectares) to
obtain the average yield. The CAE represents the total area harvested in
the year from crops that have more than one cropping season a year.
Fertilizer use on each crop was estimated from recommended fertilizer
rates, the expected yields and actual yields per hectare. According to these
calculations, the estimated fertilizer nutrient consumption for each of the
groups of crops is as follows (Table 6).
According to these figures, on average in 2000 and 2001, the industrial
crops accounted for 96 percent of total nutrient use, fruit crops for 3 percent,
vegetable crops for 0.3 percent, cash crops and spices for the remainder. Paddy
is included in the group of industrial crops. The estimated total nutrient
consumption on paddy amounted to 63 500 tonnes nutrient in 2000/01, i.e.
5.6 percent of the total of industrial crops, 5.4 percent of all crops.
In some cases, data were unavailable and their unavailability is indicated
by a hyphen in the tables. In the tables, 1997/99 and 2000/02 indicate the
three year averages.
TABLE 6
Fertilizer nutrient consumption by crop groups (000 tonnes)

N
P2O5
2001
331
Fruit
11
11
14
11
11
14
14
14
18
Vegetables
1.2
1.1
1.2
1.1
1.1
1.7
1.5
1.6
Cash crops
1.2
1.1
0.8
0.6
0.6
0.5
1.3
1.2
0.9
Spices
0.5
0.5
1.2
0.2
0.2
0.6
0.6
0.7
1.7
Total
333
345
351
346
361
364
486
498
500
Industrial
2002
334
2000
333
2001
348
K2O
2000
319
2002
348
2000
468
2001
481
2002
478
22
INDUSTRIAL CROPS
The industrial crops of Malaysia include rubber, coconut, oil-palm, cocoa,
coffee, paddy, sugar cane, tea and tobacco. In 2001, these crops occupied
5.9 million ha (93.6 percent) of the total cultivated area.
Tables 7 to 12 show the harvested area and estimated average yields
for the period 1997 to 2002 for rubber, oil-palm, paddy, coconut, cocoa
and tobacco respectively, for the various states in Malaysia. The national
average yields of the aforementioned crops in 2001 were 963, 19 140
(FFB), 3 110, 149, 996 and 4 665 kg/ha respectively.
The years selected for the tables are 1997, 2000 and 2001 (or 2001
and 2002 if available) for each of the six crops. Tables 7 to 12 show the
harvested areas and average yields, by state, for each crop. Tables 13 to 18
show the calculated use of N, P2O5 and K2O on each crop. A summary
table (Table 19) for the selected industrial crops shows that oil-palm is by
far the largest consumer of fertilizer and that this consumption has been
increasing. Fertilizer use on rubber has been declining. This is due mostly
to the expansion of the cultivated areas of oil-palm and a reduction in the
areas planted to rubber. The total N, P2O5 and K2O consumption in 2001
TABLE 7
Rubber: harvested area and average yield

Average yield (kg/ha)a
Harvested area (000 ha)

State
1997
2001
2002
1997
2001
2002
Johor
24.8
14.8
12.9
1 206
881
881
Kedah and Perlis
42.3
24.6
22.2
1 083
971
971
Kelantan
15.4
9.7
8.6
876
872
872
Melaka
10.0
5.6
3.9
1 114
693
693
Negeri Sembilan
34.6
17.7
14.1
1 142
1 167
1 167
Pahang
28.5
12.8
12.3
993
1 035
1 035
Perak
26.0
8.7
7.0
1 182
1 221
1 221
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah and
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a.
0.3
739
11.6
6.6
5.0
960
723
723
1.9
0.1
0.1
810
971
971
195.4
100.6
86.1
1 034
960
982
5.3
1.9
1.0
771
448
448
200.7
102.5
87.1
1 076
963
976
For estates only.

Source: Various Rubber Statistics Handbooks, Department of Statistics, Malaysia, 2002 and 2003.
Chapter 4 Fertilizer consumption by crop
23
TABLE 8
Oil-palm: harvested area and average FFB yield

Average FFB yield (t/ha)
State
1997
2001
2002
1997
2001
2002
Johor
587.0
636.8
664.1
19.72
19.17
17.88
Kedah
41.6
63.8
66.1
18.25
18.53
15.1
Kelantan
72.8
77.2
75.8
13.58
15.22
14.87
Melaka
35.6
41.9
45.3
22.62
24.89
20.54
Negeri Sembilan
105.3
134.4
130.5
20.59
20.89
17.38
Pahang
540.1
532.5
584.5
18.28
19.09
16.87
Perak
276.0
309.1
313.1
22.15
21.55
20.79
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
14.9
14.8
13.7
19.08
19.85
15.93
139.7
130.4
137.8
19.85
19.79
18.65
143.6
155.9
156.2
14.53
13.86
13.27
1 956.6
2 096.8
2 187.1
19.07
19.17
17.45
Sabah
758.6
1 027.3
1 069.0
20.09
21.04
20.57
Sarawak
175.1
374.8
414.3
15.05
12.37
12.65
2 890.3
3 498.9
3 670.4
19.10
19.14
17.97
West Malaysia
Total Malaysia
a.
For estates only.

FFB = Fresh Fruit Bunch
Source: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, 1998-2003.
TABLE 9
Coconut: harvested area and average yield

Average yield (kg/ha)
Region
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
West Malaysia a
120.3
109.6
131.6
198.73
149.66
240.2
49.3
23.4
21.8
15.43
25.6
25.6
25.5
392.45
340.14
198.9
195.2
158.6
178.6
173.95
160.58
149.23
Sabah b
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
Estates yield;
b
Smallholdings yield;
c
Copra (dried).
Source: Agricultural Statistics of Sarawak, 2001; Various Yearbooks of Statistics, Malaysia and Sabah;
Department of Agriculture Malaysia, 2003.
for this group of crops was 334 000 tonnes, 348 000 tonnes and 480 000
tonnes, respectively. Paddy was the second largest fertilizer consumer
among this group of crops, but with only 6 percent of the consumption
of oil-palm.
24
TABLE 10
Paddy: harvested area and average yield

State
1997
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
1.4
2.6
2.3
2 970
3 013
3 347
211.9
208.0
209.9
3 636
3 647
3 765
80.7
75.0
67.2
3 207
3 358
2 598
1.1
2.0
2.2
2 112
3 113
2 810
Negeri Sembilan
0.6
1.8
2.3
3 050
3 180
4 370
Pahang
3.6
6.8
7.2
2 234
3 047
3 317
Perak
82.1
82.4
82.9
3 374
3 036
3 425
Perlis
46.9
51.4
51.3
3 646
3 631
3 965
Pulau Pinang
28.4
28.6
25.3
3 769
3 641
4 308
Selangor
36.9
37.9
38.0
4 615
4 667
4 760
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
20.9
22.4
20.4
3 145
3 591
3 079
514.5
518.9
509.0
3 569
3 564
3 613
49.8
48.9
42.7
2 898
3 171
3 213
Sarawak
126.5
130.9
127.1
1 145
1 043
1 640
Total Malaysia
690.8
698.7
678.8
3 068
3 064
2 822
Source: Department of Agriculture, Malaysia, 1998-2002.
TABLE 11
Cocoa: harvested area and average yield

Region
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
West Malaysia
39.9
15.1
10.3
700.0
1 488.3
1 436.1
Sabah
72.7
51.8
32.0
1,018.9
859.8
950.7
Sarawak
28.4
8.8
8.8
143.4
360.8
276.0
140.9
75.8
51.1
752.5
927.4
613.4
Total Malaysia
Source: Malaysian Cocoa Board, 2003.
TABLE 12
Tobacco: harvested area and average yield

Region
West Malaysia
Sabah
Total Malaysia
a
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
19.8
15.8
14.4
5 036
4 113
7 056
0.2
0.7
1.2
1 084
1 143
1 436
20.0
16.5
15.6
4 990
3 994
6 627
Flue Cured Virginia Tobacco;

b
Burley Tobacco.
Source: Ministry of Primary Industries, 2003.
25
TABLE 13
Rubber: estimated a fertilizer use

Tonnes
N (tonnes)
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
1997
2001
2002
1997
2001
2002
1997
2001
2002
Johor
2 186
952
829
3 263
1 421
1 238
5 598
2 438
2 123
Kedah and Perlis
3 354
1 751
1 578
5 007
2 614
2 356
8 591
4 484
4 042
985
619
546
1 471
925
815
2 523
1 586
1 399
Kelantan
Melaka
818
284
200
1 221
424
299
2 095
728
513
Negeri Sembilan
2 891
1 516
1 205
4 317
2 263
1 799
7 406
3 882
3 087
Pahang
2 075
970
931
3 098
1 448
1 390
5 316
2 484
2 384
Perak
2 249
778
622
3 358
1 161
928
5 761
1 992
1 592
18
17
45
818
350
266
797
341
259
2 096
896
682
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
111
109
285
13
10
15 506
7 071
6 181
15 100
6 886
6 020
39 717
18 113
15 833
Sabah + Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
298
62
32
290
61
31
762
160
82
15 803
7 228
6 213
15 390
7 039
6 051
40 479
18 514
15 915
For estates only.
TABLE 14
Oil-palm: estimated a fertilizer use

Tonnes
Johor
N (tonnes)
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
1997
2001
2002
1997
2001
2002
1997
2001
2002
49 389
52 084
50 660
55 562
58 594
56 992
77 170
81 381
79 156
Kedah
3 242
5 043
4 260
3 647
5 674
4 793
5 065
7 880
6 656
Kelantan
4 220
5 015
4 808
4 747
5 641
5 409
6 593
7 835
7 513
Melaka
3 435
4 449
3 968
3 864
5 005
4 464
5 367
6 952
6 200
Negeri
Sembilan
9 249
11 982
9 678
10 405
13 479
10 887
14 451
18 721
15 121
Pahang
42 125
43 372
42 070
47 391
48 794
47 329
65 820
67 770
65 735
Perak
26 079
28 417
27 771
29 339
31 969
31 243
40 748
44 401
43 393
1 211
1 255
933
1 362
1 412
1 049
1 892
1 961
1 458
11 830
11 013
10 963
13 309
12 390
12 333
18 485
17 208
17 129
8 905
9 222
8 844
10 019
10. 374
9 949
13 915
14 409
13 818
159 685
171 852
163 955
179 645
193 332
184 448
249 506
268 518
256 179
146 592
Pulau
Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West
Malaysia
Sabah
65 024
92 224
93 819
73 152
103 752
105 546
101 600
144 100
Sarawak
11 245
19 783
22 359
12 651
22 256
25 154
17 571
30 911
34 936
Total
Malaysia
235 954
283 859
280 133
265 448
319 340
315 148
368 677
443 529
437 707
For estates only.
26
TABLE 15
Coconut: estimated fertilizer use

N (tonnes)
Region
West Malaysia
Sabah
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
553
379
731
719
493
951
553
379
731
11
Sarawak
232
201
117
302
262
153
232
201
117
Total MalaysiaL
785
588
848
1 021
766
1 004
785
588
848
TABLE 16
Paddy: estimated fertilizer use

Tonnes
N (tonnes)
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
75
141
139
29
55
45
21
39
32
Kedah
13 871
13 656
14 228
5 394
5 311
5 396
3 853
3 793
3 854
Perlis
Johor
2002
4 658
4 535
3 140
1 811
1 764
1 557
1 294
1 260
1 112
Kelantan
42
112
109
16
44
50
12
31
35
Melaka
35
101
182
14
39
31
10
28
22
147
373
427
57
145
127
41
104
90
Pahang
4 987
4 504
5 107
1 940
1 752
1 651
1 385
1 251
1 179
Perak
3 078
3 360
3 277
1 197
1 307
1 275
855
933
910
Pulau Pinang
1 926
1 874
1 748
749
729
680
535
521
486
Selangor
3 065
3 183
3 468
1 192
1 238
1 349
851
884
963
Negeri Sembilan
Terengganu
1 184
1 447
963
461
563
375
329
402
268
33 068
33 286
32 228
12 860
12 947
12 536
9 186
9 246
8 951
Sabah
2 599
2 791
2 964
1 011
1 085
1 153
722
775
823
Sarawak
2 608
2 457
2 517
1 014
956
979
724
683
699
38 275
38 534
37 709
14 885
14 988
14 668
10 632
10 704
10 473
West Malaysia
Total Malaysia
TABLE 17
Cocoa: estimated fertilizer use

N (tonnes)
Region
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
West Malaysia
1 364
1 101
724
636
514
338
1 636
1 321
868
Sabah
3 619
2 177
1 487
1 688
1 015
693
4 341
2 612
1 784
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
2002
199
155
119
93
72
56
238
186
143
5 182
3 433
2 330
2 417
1 601
1 087
6 215
4 119
2 795
27
TABLE 18
Tobacco: estimated fertilizer use

N (tonnes)
Region
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
2 658
1 729
2 708
6 810
4 430
6 938
4 319
2 809
4 400
Sabah
20
46
17
52
117
11
33
74
Sarawak
2 665
1 749
2 754
6 827
4 482
7 055
4 330
2 842
4 474
West Malaysia
Total Malaysia
TABLE 19
Summary of fertilizer use: Industrial crops

N (000 tonnes)
P2O5 (000 tonnes)
K2O (000 tonnes)
Crop
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
2002
1997
2000
Rubber
15.8
9.3
6.2
15.4
9.0
6.1
40.5
23.8
15.9
236.0
269.6
280.1
265.4
303.3
315.2
368.7
421.3
437.7
Oil-palm
Paddy
2002
38.3
38.5
37.7
14.9
15.0
14.7
10.6
10.7
10.5
Coconut
0.8
0.6
0.9
1.0
0.8
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.9
Cocoa
5.2
3.4
2.3
2.4
1.6
1.1
6.2
4.1
2.8
Tobacco
2.7
1.7
2.8
6.8
4.5
7.1
4.3
2.8
4.5
FRUIT CROPS
In 2001, all fruit crops occupied 305 thousand ha (4.8 percent) of the total
cultivated area. The areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use, by state,
for each of the twelve most important fruit crops are given in Annex 3
(Tables A3.1 to A3.12).
A summary is given in Table 20.
Banana was the largest consumer of fertilizer and starfruit the smallest.
VEGETABLE CROPS
In 2001, the vegetable crops in total occupied 12 682 ha (0.002 percent) of
the total cultivated area in Malaysia.
This report focuses on six vegetable crops, Chinese spinach, ladys
fingers, chili, long bean, cucumber and tomato. The areas, yields and
estimated fertilizer use, by state, for each of the six most important
vegetable crops are given in Annex 4 (Tables A4.1 to A4.6).
A summary is given in Table 21. It shows that chili was the largest
consumer of fertilizer and Chinese spinach the smallest.
28
TABLE 20
Fruit crops: summary of total fertilizer use (excluding Sabah)

CROP
N (tonnes)
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
2000
2001
2002
2000
2001
2002
2000
2001
Starfruit
31
35
24
31
35
24
44
49
34
Papaya
57
64
81
57
64
81
80
91
114
Cempedak
Durian
Sweet orange
Mango
Mangosteen
Pineapple
Jackfruit
Banana
2002
428
504
480
419
494
470
460
541
515
1 472
1 567
1 928
1 472
1 567
1 928
2 265
2 410
2 966
108
98
125
108
98
125
154
141
179
84
82
108
84
82
108
129
126
166
146
252
176
146
252
176
207
357
249
2 164
2 272
2 340
2 164
2 272
2 340
2 564
2 692
2 773
54
68
86
54
68
86
77
96
122
5 729
5 369
7 670
5 729
5 369
7 670
7 031
6 589
9 413
Rambutan
636
717
911
636
717
911
901
1 016
1 291
Watermelon
373
370
424
373
370
424
262
260
298
a = Values do not include those for Sabah
TABLE 21
Vegetable crops: summary of total fertilizer use (excluding Sabah and Sarawak)
CROP
N (tonnes)
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
2000
2001
2002
2000
2001
2002
2000
2001
2002
81
93
107
81
93
107
115
132
152
Ladys fingers
150
124
124
150
124
124
212
175
176
Chili
361
351
302
361
351
302
511
497
428
Long bean
188
180
181
188
180
181
266
255
256
Cucumber
147
134
131
147
134
131
208
190
186
Tomato
282
192
275
282
192
275
400
271
389
Chinese spinach
a = Values do not include those for Sabah and Sarawak.
Large quantities of organic fertilizers (chicken manure and prawn dust)

are used in vegetable production (Tee, 1979) but quantitative data are not
available.
CASH CROPS
The cash crops in Malaysia include maize, groundnut, tapioca, taro and
sweet potato. In 2001, cash crops in total occupied 16 045 ha (0.25 percent)
of the total cultivated area.
29
TABLE 22
Cash crops: summary of total fertilizer use (excluding Sabah and Sarawak)
CROP
N (tonnes)
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
2000
2001
2002
2000
2001
2002
2000
2001
2002
529
586
687
232
257
301
529
586
687
Groundnut
10
11
20
15
22
17
12
18
Cassava
41
24
24
20
12
12
75
44
43
Sweet potato
99
109
125
99
109
125
141
155
177
Maize
The areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use, by state, for each of these
crops are given in Annex 5 (Tables A5.1 to A5.4). Table 22 shows that
maize is the largest consumer of fertilizer and groundnut the smallest in
this group.
SPICES
The major spices of Malaysia include hot chili, ginger, turmeric, pepper,
greater galangal, musklime, lime, nutmeg and lemon grass. Other spices
include, Asam Gelugur, tamarind, clove and mint. In 2001, spices occupied
18 059 ha (0.28 percent) of the total cultivated area. This report focuses on
hot chili, ginger, pepper, lime and lemon grass.
The areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use, by state, for each of
these crops are given in Annex 5 (Tables A5.5 A5.8). Table 23 shows
that pepper is the largest consumer of fertilizers in this group. Pepper
is extensively grown and commands a good market price. Estimates of
fertilizer use on lime and lemon grass are not yet available.
TABLE 23
Spices: summary of total fertilizer use

CROP
N (tonnes)
P2O5 (tonnes)
K2O (tonnes)
2000
2001
2002
2000
2001
2002
2000
2001
Hot chili
17
21
17
12
2002
9
Ginger
17
39
31
17
39
31
24
55
43
Pepper
429
429
1 193
193
193
537
590
590
1 640
Total
463
489
1 240
214
237
572
623
657
1 692
31
Chapter 5
Profitability of fertilizer use

Smallholders are usually ready to use fertilizers if they are easily accessible
and, most importantly, if they are affordable and their use is profitable.
Access to fertilizers in Malaysia is not a problem as there are many dealers
around the country. The market is open and very competitive but prices
have been rising in line with international prices. The government helps
small farmers with fertilizer subsidies in order to improve their income
and hence alleviate rural poverty.
In this chapter, information is given on the prices of some crops, the
prices of some fertilizers in the Malaysian market and profitability based
on the use of compound fertilizer NPK 12-12-17 (cost benefit analysis)
for selected crops.
FERTILIZER AND CROP PRICES
Table 24 gives the prices of selected crops at farm gate level for the years
2000 and 2001 with 1997 for comparison. Among the industrial crops, in
2001, tobacco fetched the highest market price followed by cocoa, rubber
and oil-palm. For fruit crops, starfruit and watermelon were the most and
least expensive respectively. Among the selected vegetables, hot chili and
cucumber were the most and least expensive respectively. Table 25 shows
the prices of some fertilizers in various Malaysian states in December
2003. The prices do not differ much across states.
32
TABLE 24
Farm gate selling prices of crop produce

Crop group
Industrial crops
Selected crops
2000
2001
2 178
2 425
2 057
850
750
540
2 075
1 178
1 069
4 213
2 568
3 257
Starfruit (B17)
1 900
2 140
1 840
580
590
620
Cempedak
1 040
860
770
Durian (Kampung)
1 700
1 640
1 020
Sweet orange
1 340
1 310
1 310
Mango
2 200
3 000
1 660
Mongosteen
1 280
1 680
1 720
Pineapple (Sarawak)
1 230
1 160
1 080
Banana (Barangan)
660
670
670
Rambutan (Gading)
1 090
1 070
1 040
Watermelon (Yellow super)
750
520
550
Chinese spinach
790
790
810
Ladys fingers
1 450
1 790
1 580
Chili
2 830
3 520
2 790
Long bean
1 230
1 180
1 120
Cucumber
570
590
550
1 090
850
1 200
1 850
Rubber
Coconut (copra)
Oil-palm a (Palm oil)
Cocoa
Fruit Crops
Papaya (Exotica)
Vegetables
Tomato (lowland)
Spices
Ginger
Pepper
Lime
Cash Crops
a
Average annual price (RM/tonne)

1997
Cassava
1,800
2 370
White
14 620
13 410
7 310
Black
9 430
11 690
4 960
1 260
1 520
1 100
340
340
420
Market prices.
Source: Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority; Ministry of Primary Industries.
Chapter 5 Profitability of fertilizer use
33
TABLE 25
Fertilizer prices (RM) in December 2003 per 50 kg bag of selected fertilizer

products in various states
Composition
Negeri
Sembilan
NPK 10-16-9 +2.5MgO

NPK 12-12-17 +2MgO+TE
Pahang
Perlis
Terengganu
Sabah
Sarawak
4060
62
62
55
60
61
58
60
62
55
25
32
39
36
31
41
43
66
NPK 12-6-22 +3MgO
4960
48
NPK 13-13-20+TE
5862
NPK 13-13-21
65
NPK 13-26-26
62
NPK 15-15-15
59
NPK 15-15-15+TE
60
64
NPK 15-15-6 +4MgO
48
NPK 15-5-20 +2MgO+TE
90
34 percent P2O5
18
Urea 46 percent N
48
55
Potassium chloride
38
35
40
TE = trace elements
Source: Department of Agriculture, Peninsular Malaysia (Unpublished data).
TABLE 26
Crop fertilizer price ratios* in 2003 for selected fruit and vegetable crops
Crop
Starfruit (B17)
Papaya (Exotica)
P2O5
4.4
4.4
K2O
3.1
14.6
14.6
10.3
Cempedak
8.9
8.9
6.3
Durian (Kampung)
7.0
7.0
5.0
Sweet orange
5.6
5.6
3.9
Mango
5.4
5.4
3.8
Mongosteen
6.4
6.4
4.5
Pineapple (Sarawak)
11.0
11.0
7.8
Banana (Barangan)
12.6
12.6
8.9
Rambutan (Gading)
9.7
9.7
6.9
Watermelon (Yellow super)
17.0
17.0
12.0
Chinese spinach
10.0
10.0
7.0
Ladys fingers
5.0
5.0
3.5
Chili
3.1
3.0
2.2
Long bean
6.9
6.9
4.9
Cucumber
13.2
13.2
9.3
5.0
5.0
3.5
Tomato (lowland)
* Based on NPK 12-12-17 prices.
35
Chapter 6
The future of fertilizer use

It is expected that the use of mineral fertilizers will continue to rise if
the cultivated areas and the intensity of production continue to increase.
However, it will be possible to minimize the rate of increase in fertilizer
use if emerging technologies such as variable rate application (VRA) and
site-specific management (SSM) are extensively practiced. Plant breeders
should explore the possibilities of producing crops, which are higher
yielding but less demanding as regards nutrient requirements. Agroforestry, intercropping, integrated farming systems (animals and crops)
and the use of crop organic wastes would reduce the dependence on
mineral fertilizers.
SITE-SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT
Variable rate application and site-specific management are proving to
be very effective and promising management practices for improving
fertilizer use efficiency (FUE). Fertilizers are becoming increasingly
expensive and their overuse is causing environmental concerns, due to
pollution of soil and water resources. As a result, conventional practices
of fertilizer application (broadcast, deep banding, top dressing, side
dressing etc), based on blanket recommendations of average fertilizer
rates on a hectare basis, should give way to VRA and SSM of fertilizers.
This would minimize the waste of fertilizers and reduce the quantities
used per hectare.
INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS
Integrated farming systems (IFS), are being promoted vigorously in
Malaysia in order to support agriculture and to reduce dependence
on mineral fertilizers for crop production. The emphasis is on agroforestry and mixed farming and on organic farming. It is expected that
IFS will increase the smallholders average income from RM200 to above
36
RM1 000 per month. The DOA is promoting rice cultivation integrated
with vegetables, sweet corn, fruits, fish and duck rearing; intercropping of
coconut with fruits and vegetables; intercropping of rubber with banana,
groundnut, maize, pineapple and vegetables; maize production integrated
with cattle feed lots (Wan Abu Bakar, 2003). The processing of compost is
being encouraged. Integration of sheep in rubber growing smallholdings
also contributes additional income, providing organic manure and
reducing weeding costs.
The oil-palm plantation sector and land development schemes, which
account for a large proportion of the cultivated area in Malaysia, also
practice integrated farming. The immediate benefit in this case is a
reduction in labour costs for weeding through grazing by cattle, deer
and other ruminants. At the end of 2000, 167 estates and 300 blocks of
FELDA settlers, involving 115 390 beef cattle, adopted the integration of
cattle with mature oil-palm (Rosli, 2001).
The impact of these measures on soil fertility is generally known but
the particular benefits in the farming scenarios in Malaysia are not well
documented. However, they are attracting a lot of research interest.
37
References
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Nieuwolt, S. 1982. Climate and Agricultural Planning in Peninsular Malaysia.
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41
Annex 1
Fertilizer use recommendation
TABLE A1.1
Recommended fertilizer rates for crops on mineral soils

Crop Group
Industrial
CROP
Recommending
Agency*
Rubber
109.8
163.93
281.25
450
MRB
Coconut
71.7
93.21
107.55
239
DOA
MPOB
128
144
200
160
Cocoa
117.3
54.7
140.7
1 241
DOA
Coffee
134.4
62.72
161.28
1 280
DOA
DOA
Paddy
Sugar cane
Tea
90
35
25
500 (m-2)
100
118
140
FELDA
95
75
120
DOA
DOA
Tobacco
80
205
130
17 932
Starfruit
116.76
116.76
165.41
278
DOA
84
84
119
2 000
DOA
118.08
115.62
126.69
123
DOA
97.5
97.5
150
100
DOA
Sweet orange
100.1
100.1
142.8
400
DOA
Mango
82.16
82.16
126.4
158
DOA
117.48
117.48
166.43
178
DOA
297
297
352
36 900
DOA
Papaya
Cempedak
Durian
Mongosteen
Pineapple
Jackfruit
51.48
51.48
72.93
130
DOA
Banana
554.4
554.4
680.4
1 680
DOA
Rambutan
73.44
73.44
104.04
170
DOA
84
84
59
2 000
DOA
Watermelon
Vegetables
K2O
PPD per
ha
P2O5
Oil-palm
Fruits
Rates (kg/ha)
N
Chinese spinach
60
60
85
Ladys fingers
120
120
170
5 487
Chili
180
180
255
8 570
DOA
84
84
119
21 333
DOA
Long bean
Cucumber
Tomato
MARDI
DOA
60
60
85
21 333
DOA
180
180
255
21 333
DOA
PPD = Plant population density

* DOA represents Peninsular Malaysias Department of Agriculture unless otherwise stated.
42
Crop Group
CROP
Rates (kg/ha)
P2O5
N
Spices
Cash
K2O
PPD per
ha
Hot chili
135
35
75
Ginger
180
180
255
53 797
Pepper
298.97
134.52
411.07
1 680
130
57
130
53 333
27
55
45
Maize
Groundnut
Cassava
Sweet potato
30
15
55
10 000
120
120
170
Recommending
Agency*
DOA
MARDI
DOA, Sarawak
DOA
MARDI
MARDI
DOA
PPD = Plant population density

* DOA represents Peninsular Malaysias Department of Agriculture unless otherwise stated.
43
Annex 2
Crop names
TABLE A2.1
English, botanical and local names of crops

English name
Botanical name
Banana
Musa (L.) spp.
Local name
Pisang
Chili
Capsicum annum var. acuminatum L.
Cili
Chinese spinach
Amaranthus spp.
Bayam
Cocoa
Theobroma cacao L.
Koko
Coconut
Cocos nucifera L.
Kelapa
Coffee
Coffea spp.
Kopi
Cucumber
Cucumis sativus L.
Timun
Ginger
Zingiber officinale Roscoe
Halia
Groundnuts
Arachis hypogaea L.
Kacang Tanah
Hot chili
Capsicum frutescens L.
Cili Padi
Jackfruit
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam
Nangka
Ladys finger
Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench
Bendi
Lemon grass
Cymbogonon citratus (D.C.) Stapf.
Serai
Lime
Citrus aurantifolia Swingle
Limau Nipis
Long bean
Vigna sinensis L.
Kacang Panjang
Maize
Zea mays L.
Jagung
Mango
Mangifera indica L.
Mangga
Mangosteen
Garcinia mangostana L.
Manggis
Oil-palm
Elaeis guineensis Jacq
Kelapa Sawit
Paddy
Oryza sativa L.
Padi
Papaya
Carica papaya L.
Betik
Pepper
Piper nigrum L.
Lada Hitam
Pineapple
Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.
Nanas
Rubber
Hevea brasiliensis Muell
Getah
Sago
Metroxylon sagu Rottb.
Rumbia
Starfruit
Averrhoea carambola L.
Belimbing Manis
Sugarcane
Saccharum officinarum L.
Tebu
Sweet orange
Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck
Limau Manis
Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam
Ubi Keledek
Tapioca / Cassava
Manihot utilissima, Pohl.
Ubi Kayu
Tea
Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze
Teh
44
English name
Botanical name
Local name
Tobacco
Nicotiana tabacum L.
Tembakau
Tomato
Lycopersicum esculentum Mill
Tomato
Watermelon
Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansf
Tembikai
(Cempedak)
Artocarpus champeden Spreng
Cempedak
(Durian)
Durio zibethinus Murr
Durian
(Rambutan)
Nephelium lappaceum L.
Rambutan
45
Annex 3
Fruit crops
TABLE A3.1
Starfruit: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
a
State
1997/99
2000/02
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
425
64
53
57
68
140
55
7
64
107
17
1 056
169
37
31
44
125
28
37
11
31
66
10
588
72
381
1 041
499
1 555
Fertilizer use (tonnesc)
Yield (t/ha)
b
2000/02
17
11
2
22
5
17
18
4
15
13
29
14
8
7
29
N
3.7
0.2
2.1
2.0
2.0
1.4
0.1
0.9
0.9
15.1
1.7
7.3
3.7
P2O5
3.7
1.8
0.2
2.1
2.0
2.0
1.4
0.1
0.9
0.9
15.1
1.7
7.3
3.7
K2O
5.2
2.6
0.3
2.9
2.8
2.8
2.0
0.2
1.3
1.2
21.4
2.4
10.4
5.2
a
Total planted area. b Harvested area. c 2002.
Source: Department of Agriculture, 1998-2002.
TABLE A3.2
Papaya: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
Yield (t/ha)
b
1997/99
2000/02
192
26
33
8
53
48
776
9
42
60
39
1 287
638
582
89
189
80
281
660
13
137
462
130
3 260
837
2 363
6 461
470
3 043
a
2000/02
10
7
5
13
10
6
11
5
9
8
10
11
18
6
35

N
6.1
0.4
0.3
1.8
1.1
0.5
55.5
1.0
1.3
0.7
68.6
4.9
7.2
80.7
P2O5
6.1
0.4
0.3
1.8
1.1
0.5
55.5
1.0
1.3
0.7
68.6
4.9
7.2
80.7
K2O
8.6
0.6
0.4
2.6
1.6
0.7
78.6
1.3
1.8
0.9
97.2
7.0
10.1
114.3
46
TABLE A3.3
Cempedak: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
2000/02b
1 543
1 547
534
269
334
727
1 196
30
343
1 006
828
8 358
855
1 061
246
269
199
570
695
22
224
662
378
5 182
1 239
3 353
9 774
3 422
11 779
Yield (t/ha)
1997/99a
2000/02
9
6
4
5
4
3
3
4
6
7
8
6
3
4
13
N
52.9
76.2
8.0
19.5
11.0
23.4
23.1
1.0
14.1
41.8
6.2
277.2
52.8
149.9
480.0
P2O5
51.8
74.6
7.8
19.1
10.8
23.0
22.6
1.0
13.8
40.9
6.1
271.4
51.7
146.8
470.0
K2O
56.8
81.7
8.5
20.9
11.8
25.2
24.8
1.1
15.1
44.9
6.6
297.4
56.7
160.9
515.0
a
TABLE A3.4
Durian: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
1997/99
40
4
20
4
3
12
10
3
4
6
111
115
962
154
105
660
677
980
59
974
759
039
485
10 752
122 237
Yield (t/ha)
b
2000/02
25
3
11
4
1
7
5
3
2
2
68
3
10
82
788
072
398
121
974
132
938
71
167
659
983
302
615
757
675
a
2000/02
P2O5
K2O
6
4
3
7
4
2
4
3
3
5
2
4
3
4
4
880
73
173
106
43
114
97
1
51
42
50
1 631
235
1 928
880
73
173
106
43
114
97
1
51
42
50
1 631
235
1 928
1 353
112
267
163
66
176
149
2
79
65
77
2 509
362
2 966
Annex 3 Fruit crops
47
TABLE A3.5
Sweet orange: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
1997/99
2000/02
1 268
68
84
41
69
304
20
1
395
157
172
18
40
127
31
2
3
2
715
1 339
483
2 310
4 132
7
301
1 067
1 464
2 531
Yield (t/ha)
b
2000/02
7
8
6
10
2
5
2
1
7
9
12
37
3
4
5
P2O5
K2O
18.8
9.2
3.5
1.1
0.9
2.4
0.6
0
0.2
10.3
47
9
69.3
125.4
18.8
9.2
3.5
1.1
0.9
2.4
0.6
0
0.2
10.3
47
9
69.3
125.4
26.8
13.2
5
1.6
1.2
3.4
0.9
0
0.3
14.7
67.1
12.9
98.9
178.9
a
TABLE A3.6
Mango: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
1997/99
1
1
1
713
349
478
481
363
442
120
118
363
692
561
680
1 294
8 974
Yield (t/ha)
b
2000/02
5
1
1
7
253
884
241
752
297
201
935
859
136
309
272
140
049
243
432

2000/02
3
3
2
3
3
3
5
3
4
4
3
3
2
2
3

N
P2O5
K2O
4.4
13.1
4.0
9.7
6.5
4.0
25.8
11.8
1.5
3.3
0.4
84.4
11.5
107.7
4.4
13.1
4.0
9.7
6.5
4.0
25.8
11.8
1.5
3.3
0.4
84.4
11.5
107.7
6.7
20.1
6.1
14.9
10.0
6.2
39.7
18.1
2.4
5.0
0.6
129.9
17.6
165.7
48
TABLE A3.7
Mangosteen: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
Yield (t/ha)
b
1997/99
2000/02
1 476
641
1 515
353
648
654
1 029
4
342
377
691
7 730
820
476
765
352
333
365
479
2
191
197
325
4 307
285
447
5 039
491
8 221
2000/02
10
3
5
3
2
3
8
2
6
8
7
6
3
2
5

N
P2O5
K2O
34
23
26
20
18
4
18
8
6
5
161
6
9
176
34
23
26
20
18
4
18
8
6
5
161
6
9
176
48
32
36
28
25
6
26
11
8
7
228
9
12
249

TABLE A3.8
Pineapple: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
1997/99a
2000/02b
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
10 069
132
249
7
76
73
124
321
151
117
11 319
7 448
121
284
8
66
50
94
324
181
104
8 679
1 152
2 708
12 539
2 778
14 097
a
Yield (t/ha)
2000/02
37
19
22
22
8
8
8
14
21
8
34
8
16
27

N
1 851
12
30
2
9
2
5
36
36
1 982
71
287
2 340
P2O5
K2O
1 851
12
30
2
9
2
5
36
36
1 982
71
287
2 340
2 193
14
35
2
10
2
5
43
43
1
2 349
84
341
2 773
Annex 3 Fruit crops
49
TABLE A3.9
Jackfruit: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
1997/99a
710
240
399
91
182
240
121
50
66
239
183
2 519
555
3 075
2000/02b
497
139
200
91
133
111
121
29
50
126
106
1 603
477
535
2 615
Yield (t/ha)
2000/02
9
6
5
6
4
5
7
33
8
9
8
5
4
6

N
P2O5
K2O
26
8
4
3
4
4
3
1
5
4
63
13
10
86
26
8
4
3
4
4
3
1
5
4
63
13
10
86
37
11
5
5
6
6
4
1
7
6
89
18
15
122
a
TABLEA3.10
Banana: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
Yield (t/ha)
1997/99a
2000/02b
7 948
1 894
3 006
92
871
1 819
4 912
132
464
3 268
297
24 702
7 381
1 196
2 102
148
566
1 400
2 532
22
493
2 415
479
18 733
5 762
4 010
28 504
4 712
29 414

2000/02
P2O5
K2O
13
10
8
11
4
6
10
2
9
9
5
10
9
8
8
3 268
360
362
40
72
242
592
1
93
361
84
5 475
1 348
846
7 670
3 268
360
362
40
72
242
592
1
93
361
84
5 475
1 348
846
7 670
4 011
441
444
49
89
297
727
1
114
443
103
6 720
1 655
1 039
9 413
50
TABLE A3.11
Rambutan: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
Yield (t/ha)
State
1997/99a
2000/02b
2000/02
P2O5
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
2 846
2 007
3 516
917
1 353
2 228
2 049
36
739
921
2 259
18 873
2 231
1 443
2 202
910
716
1 545
1 304
51
636
742
863
12 643
1 718
5 039
19 401
4
4
3
5
3
3
4
3
3
6
4
4
3
3
3
138
104
97
56
61
43
39
1
19
54
46
658
61
192
911
138
104
97
56
61
43
39
1
19
54
46
658
61
192
911
5 072
23 945
K2O
195
147
138
80
87
61
55
2
27
77
65
932
87
272
1 291
a
TABLE A3.12
Watermelon: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
1997/99a
1 863
577
882
336
37
247
238
57
19
44
524
4 824
1 171
5 995
Yield (t/ha)
2000/02b
2 052
273
703
904
73
662
384
13
15
19
373
5 471
236
1 098
6 805
a
2000/02
11
16
18
26
10
12
15
12
5
15
14
15
14
14
14

N
P2O5
K2O
44.8
20.1
67.1
92.1
1.1
27.3
61.4
0.5
0.4
0.4
36.4
351.5
14.4
58.5
424.4
44.8
20.1
67.1
92.1
1.1
27.3
61.4
0.5
0.4
0.4
36.4
351.5
14.4
58.5
424.4
31.5
14.1
47.1
64.7
0.7
19.2
43.2
0.3
0.3
0.3
25.5
246.9
10.1
41.1
298.1
51
Annex 4
Vegetable crops
TABLE A4.1
Chinese spinach: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
Yield (t/ha)
b
1997/99
2000/02
862
55
53
101
46
96
30
10
105
65
7
1 429
1564
57
95
108
69
86
72
10
137
111
4
2 312
92
108
2 512
1 429

2000/02
10
8
11
11
9
8
12
9
11
12
9
10
10
10
9

N
P2O5
K2O
67
2
6
5
2
4
5
3
5
99
4
4
107
67
2
6
5
2
4
5
3
5
99
4
4
107
95
3
8
7
2
6
7
4
7
140
6
6
152
52
TABLE A4.2
Ladys fingers: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
Yield (t/ha)
1997/99a
2000/02b
682
173
124
67
73
62
210
46
155
96
38
1 726
638
171
114
60
72
76
193
29
145
121
32
1 650
37
121
1 796
1 726
2000/02
12
10
15
19
14
15
13
8
14
14
7
13
14
12

N
33
10
13
6
6
16
12
1
15
2
1
116
8
124
P2O5
K2O
33
10
13
6
6
16
12
1
15
2
1
116
8
124
47
14
19
9
8
23
17
2
21
3
2
164
12
176
a
TABLE A4.3
Chili: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
Yield (t/ha)
b
1997/99
2000/02
680
298
485
66
45
296
390
34
61
107
340
2 803
753
222
450
81
37
309
349
18
50
86
246
2 601
50
129
2 763
2 803
a
2000/02
12
10
14
14
7
8
11
9
12
14
4
11
10
10

N
100
16
69
13
2
17
44
2
8
7
11
288
14
302
P2O5
K2O
100
16
69
13
2
17
44
2
8
7
11
288
14
302
142
23
98
18
3
24
62
3
11
10
16
409
19
428
Annex 4 Vegetable crops
53
TABLE A4.4
Long bean: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
Yield (t/ha)
b
1997/99
2000/02
1 415
214
479
85
129
267
489
34
129
132
237
3 611
1 342
158
342
102
152
276
501
15
102
109
176
3 274
127
322
3 680
3 611
2000/02
14
11
15
16
14
11
12
10
11
15
8
13
13
12

N
74
6
19
7
7
14
23
1
6
3
7
166
15
181
P2O5
74
6
19
7
7
14
23
1
6
3
7
166
15
181
K2O
105
8
27
9
11
19
32
1
8
4
10
235
21
256
a
TABLE A4.5
Cucumber: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
Yield (t/ha)
b
1997/99
2000/02
1 049
218
682
58
73
260
258
54
108
81
277
3 117
914
140
634
57
95
296
243
20
105
83
269
2 856
108
286
3 250
3 117

2000/02
19
14
19
22
22
12
19
16
18
22
10
17
17
17
16

N
38
5
29
2
4
11
10
1
6
2
8
116
4
11
131
P2O5
K2O
38
5
29
2
4
11
10
1
6
2
8
116
4
11
131
54
7
42
3
6
15
14
1
9
3
11
164
6
16
186
54
TABLE A4.6
Tomato: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kelantan
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
1997/99
60
44
1
382
3
1
7
4
500
500
Yield (t/ha)
b
2000/02
9
54
0
651
3
1
0
4
0
723
64
12
778
a
2000/02
21
30
10
26
15
10
8
9
17
27
16
25

N
2.8
2.8
0.0
265.5
0.4
0.1
0.1
0.0
271.7
3.2
274.9
P2O5
2.8
2.8
0.0
265.5
0.4
0.1
0.1
0.0
271.7
3.2
274.9
K2O
4.0
4.0
0.0
376.1
0.6
0.1
0.2
0.0
384.9
4.5
389.4
55
Annex 5
Cash crops, spices and other crops

TABLEA5.1
Maize: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
1997/99a
1 032
456
1 115
17
89
1 535
348
50
139
290
466
5 537
3
1
2
7
6 101
11 639
Yield (t/ha)
2000/02b
2000/02
631
212
895
50
85
733
599
43
50
239
425
963
644
950
461
9
4
6
4
15
5
5
4
10
13
4
6
4
5
6
N
62
18
96
7
8
69
51
1
11
18
37
378
123
186
687
P2O5
K2O
27
8
42
3
3
30
22
1
5
8
16
166
54
82
301
62
18
96
7
8
69
51
1
11
18
37
378
123
186
687

Source: Department of Agriculture, 1998-2002
TABLE A5.2
Groundnut: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Pahang
Perak
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
1997/99
Yield (t/ha)
b
2000/02
2000/02
28
9
222
39
29
5
341
17
6
134
7
22
16
147
212
4
5
4
3
9
4
4
2
341
192


N
P2O5
K2O
0.6
0.2
4.6
0.2
1.7
0.6
7.7
3.3
11.0
1.3
0.3
9.3
0.3
3.4
1.2
15.7
6.7
22.4
1.1
0.3
7.6
0.3
2.8
0.9
12.9
5.5
18.4
56
TABLE: A5.3
Cassava: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
Yield (t/ha)
b
1997/99
2000/02
2000/02
P2O5
K2O
626
112
96
10
31
77
286
78
545
13
1 874
792
76
80
38
10
21
96
31
229
15
1 352
21
4
17
19
16
17
27
20
19
13
20
1 874
1 352
20
18.2
0.9
0.7
0.1
0.1
0.8
0.4
2.0
0.2
23.6
23.6
9.1
0.5
0.4
0.1
0.0
0.4
0.2
1.0
0.1
11.8
11.8
33.4
1.7
1.3
0.3
0.1
1.5
0.8
3.7
0.4
43.2
43.2

TABLE A5.4
Sweet potato: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
Yield (t/ha)
b
2000/02
P2O5
K2O
395
160
226
13
11
201
671
2
292
76
185
24
4
103
431
6
12
8
19
21
9
10
14
5
80
112
90
1 933
27
75
130
1 351
98
1 384
9
16
7
13
13
12
26.9
0.2
18.7
1.6
0.1
4.6
26.5
1.4
15.5
20.5
115.9
9.1
124.9
26.9
0.2
18.7
1.6
0.1
4.6
26.5
1.4
15.5
20.5
115.9
9.1
124.9
38.1
0.2
26.5
2.2
0.2
6.5
37.5
2.0
22.0
29.0
164.2
12.8
177.0
1997/99
1 933
2000/02

Annex 5 Cash crops, spices and other crops
57
TABLE A5.5
Hot chili: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
Yield (t/ha)
b
1997/99
2000/02
2000/02
45
5
27
20
48
11
10
5
167
47
5
30
9
13
3
0
12
6
124
9
6
12
3
3
5
2
3
8
8
167
82
206
7
8
N
5.6
4.9
0.4
0.2
0.1
0.5
0.8
12.6
4.2
16.8
P2O5
K2O
1.5
1.3
0.1
3.1
2.7
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.3
0.5
7.0
2.3
9.3
0.1
0.2
3.3
1.1
4.3
a
TABLE A5.6
Ginger: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
State
Johor
Kedah
Kelantan
Negeri Sembilan
Pahang
Perak
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
a
1997/99a
Yield (t/ha)
2000/02b

P2O5
K2O
71
24
11
0.6
0.6
0.8
0
17
2
104
1
168
1
12
136
2
38
2
212
213
4
14
6
5
13
12
14
5
12
10
1.0
12.0
0.1
1.7
15.4
15.3
1.0
12.0
0.1
1.7
15.4
15.3
1.5
17.0
0.1
2.4
21.8
21.7
362
474

2000/02
58
TABLE A5.7
Pepper: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state

Area (ha)
Region
West Malaysia 1,a
Sabah 2
Sarawak 2
Total Malaysia
Yield (t/ha)
c
1997/99
2000/02
42
48
11 256
11 346
20
43
13 627
13 669
2000/02
5.1
0.2
2.9
2.9
Fertilizer use (tonnesd)

N
P2O5
1193
1193
K2O
537
537
1 640
1 640
Total for Johor, Kedah and Kelantan only with Terengganu included in year 2001;
Green, black and white pepper.
2
Black and white pepper only.
b
Total planted area. c Harvested area. d 2002.
1
TABLE A5.8
Lime and Lemon grass: areas, yields and estimated fertilizer use by state
Crop
Lime
Lemon grass
Area (ha)
Yield t/ha
Area (ha)
Yield t/ha
State
2000/02
2000/02
2000/02
2000/02
Johor
168
212
27
Kedah
11
19
103
28
10
14
Kelantan
Melaka
Negeri Sembilan
12
85
10
Pahang
12
35
Perak
70
28
Perlis
Pulau Pinang
Selangor
Terengganu
West Malaysia
15
78
22
17
14
421
495
18
25
15
503
18
Sabah
Sarawak
Total Malaysia
40
461
The development of the agriculture sector and

improvement of the living standards of small-scale
farmers are priorities of the Government of Malaysia.
A higher level of agricultural production requires an
increased and/or more efficient use of inputs, especially
fertilizers. Fertilizer purchases by smallholder farmers
are subsidized. A better use of available organic wastes,
organic farming and integrated farming systems is being
promoted. There is a highly competitive distribution sector
for fertilizers. Fertilizer use in Malaysia is characterized by
a large consumption of directly applied phosphate rock,
attributable to the acidic nature of the soils and the large
area of perennial plantation crops, and of potassium owing
to the large area of oil-palm. Oil-palm is by far the largest
fertilizer-consuming crop in Malaysia. In this publication,
the quantities of fertilizers used on thirty crops, divided
into five groups, are calculated based on recommended
fertilizer rates, expected and achieved yields. Information is
given on fertilizer prices, crop prices and, as an indication
of the profitability of fertilizer use, the crop price: nutrient
price ratios for a selection of fruit and vegetable crops.
TC/D/Y5797E/1/12.04/300

Fertilizer Use Malaysia

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Fertilizer use by crop

Fertilizer use by crop

Land and Plant Nutrition Management Service

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

The designations employed and the presentation of

Fertilizer use by crop in Malaysia

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this

Farming and Cropping Systems

West or Peninsular Malaysia

3. The fertilizer sector

Production and marketing

Imports and exports

4. Fertilizer consumption by crop

5. Profitability of fertilizer use

Fertilizer and crop prices

6. The future of fertilizer use

Integrated farming systems

5. Cash crops, spices and other crops

Agro-ecological regions of Peninsular Malaysia

Dominant soil map of Malaysia

Agro-ecological regions of Sarawak

Marketing and distribution channel of fertilizers in Malaysia

Fertilizer imports: quantity

Fertilizer imports: value

Agricultural production (000 tonnes), 1995 and 2000,

Matrix of suitable and marginally suitable crops

Summary of the characteristics of the AEZ of Sarawak

Number and area of organic producers per State in 2001

Fertilizer nutrient consumption by crop groups (000 tonnes)

Rubber: harvested area and average yield

Oil-palm: harvested area and average FFB yield

Coconut: harvested area and average yield

10. Paddy: harvested area and average yield

11. Cocoa: harvested area and average yield

12. Tobacco: harvested area and average yield

13. Rubber: estimated a fertilizer use

14. Oil-palm: estimated a fertilizer use

15. Coconut: estimated fertilizer use

16. Paddy: estimated fertilizer use

17. Cocoa: estimated fertilizer use

19. Summary of fertilizer use: Industrial crops

18. Tobacco: estimated fertilizer use

20. Fruit crops: summary of total fertilizer use

21. Vegetable crops: summary of total fertilizer use

22. Cash crops: summary of total fertilizer use

23. Spices: summary of total fertilizer use

24. Farm gate selling prices of crop produce

25. Fertilizer prices (RM) in December 2003 per 50-kg bag

26. Crop fertilizer price ratios in 2003 for selected fruit

Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Agricultural production (000 tonnes), 1995 and 2000, forecast to 2005

Crude Palm Oil

Refers to commercial cultivation.

Fertilizer use by crop in Malaysia

(estate or plantation) holdings. The new land development schemes

Fertilizer use by crop in Malaysia

Matrix of suitable and marginally suitable crops recommended for cultivation in

A = Suitable; B = Marginally suitable

Pahang Perak Perlis Pinang Sabah Sarawak Selangor Terengganu

Chapter 2 Agro-ecological zones

WEST OR PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Agro-ecological regions of Peninsular Malaysia

Highland over 900 a.s.l.

Regions with a clear and regular dry season