Integrated farming system and multifunctionality of agriculture in Malaysia

Agriculture has an important role in not only providing economic benefits to farmers but also intangible benefits to the public called "multifunctionality of agriculture." An Integrated Farming System Project was introduced in a single cropping paddy area to increase farm productivity and farmers' income. The project promoted paddy during the main season, melons and maize during the paddy off-season and fish throughout the year. There were economic benefits in terms of increased food production, increased net income, improved family productivity, reduced income imbalance between rural agricultural employment and urban income of factory workers, and improved farmers' living conditions. Multifunctionality of agriculture was observed in terms of social, cultural and food security functions whereby the public benefited through employment opportunities, donations available for religious community functions and accessibility to more food. At the national level, during the 1998 economic crisis, the agriculture sector absorbed excess labour force displaced from other sectors in the urban areas The sector played an important role as a safety net, economic stabilizer and social stabilizer and this social function or sheltering function is one of the multifunctionality of agriculture. Thus, agriculture in Malaysia does not only produce tangible benefits to the farmers but also intangible benefits to the public. Agriculture and its farming community are playing a very important role in sustaining rural viability and social stability in the country.