THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT IN THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SUPPLY INDUSTRY

Abstract

This article discusses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on income and employment in the agricultural and food supply industries. Based on the background of the inaugural research method, this paper lays the research lens on a selection of contemporary issues including (i) the country’s dependence on imported rice supply, (ii) the impact of Covid-19 on the Malaysian palm oil and rubber sector, (iii) private involvement in improving the economy of the agricultural sector, (iv) the rise of agricultural e-commerce and the food industry, and (v) the industrial revolution of the concept of Internet of Things (IoT). Reflections on the discussion focused on the impact of the Movement Control Order implementation on the agricultural community consisting of smallholders and rural communities who generate income by selling agricultural produce were unable to market their agricultural produce as well as facing the risk of job loss. However, Covid-19 also has a positive impact, namely the increase in online agricultural trade (E-commerce) under the control of the Electronic Commerce Act 2006 and the Consumer Protection Act 1999. The direction of research and development in the agricultural sector with the collaboration of the private sector is very important as a factor in developing the country’s agricultural industry where the reduction of dependence on labour and instead increase the use of technology-intensive systems and environmentally friendly innovation.