Malaysia's Agriculture: 90% Employability, 30% Youth Participation—A Stark Reality

Malaysia's Agricultural Youth Gap: A Call for Data Reassessment Malaysia faces a critical issue in its agricultural sector: a significant gap between reported employability rates of TVET graduates and the actual number of young people working in the field. A recent Astro AWANI report highlights the concerns, focusing on the 90% employability rate reported for agricultural TVET graduates, juxtaposed against the reality of only 30% youth participation in the sector. Nordin Abdul Malek, Executive Chairman of the Institute of Agro and Entrepreneurship (IGROW), voiced his concern, stating, "It's illogical to report a 90% employability rate when only 30% of young people are actually involved in agriculture." This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of the data collection methods and the effectiveness of current strategies to attract young people to the agricultural sector. The video features interviews with young agricultural workers who share their experiences and challenges. One interviewee expressed difficulties finding suitable employment despite possessing the necessary skills and qualifications. This firsthand account underscores the need for improved job placement support and career guidance for TVET graduates. The situation necessitates a comprehensive review of the employability data and the implementation of effective strategies to bridge the gap between education and employment. This includes creating more attractive career paths in agriculture, providing better training and support for young farmers, and ensuring accurate and transparent data collection to inform future policy decisions.