Wildlife attacks, pests caused over RM1.4m in farm losses in 2025-2026, deputy minister says

KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said wildlife attacks and pest infestations continue to pose a significant threat to Malaysia’s agricultural sector, with losses recorded across farms.

He said the government introduced the Property and Crop Loss Assistance Initiative Due to Wildlife Attacks (BKHT), jointly implemented by the ministry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, to support farmers, fishers and aquaculture operators affected by wildlife damage.

“Under BKHT, RM396,000 in assistance was approved in 2025 for 131 farmers, with estimated losses totalling RM808,000. From January to May 2026, a further RM300,000 was approved for 25 farmers, with estimated losses of RM649,000,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to Jerlun MP Abdul Ghani Ahmad on the estimated total losses in agricultural production due to pest infestations and crop pests, as well as the government’s mitigation measures.

Beyond compensation, Chan said the ministry is also implementing a range of mitigation measures through the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), including Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which prioritises biological control while restricting the use of chemical pesticides as a last resort.

Chan also said farmers are being supported through advisory services and training programmes, including Good Agricultural Practices and the Farmers Field School (FFS), with an emphasis on farm hygiene to reduce pest breeding and minimise wildlife attraction.

“In terms of physical control measures, the government has installed electric fencing, boundary trenches and other barrier structures in high-risk areas to reduce intrusion by wildlife such as elephants and wild boars.

“Regular monitoring is also carried out in hotspot areas through patrols and surveillance systems for early detection of attacks, wildlife relocation and immediate on-ground control measures,” he added.

Chan said inter-agency cooperation has also been strengthened to improve enforcement, support wildlife relocation and ensure a faster on-the-ground response to incidents.