Ringkasan Artikel
Rising temperatures driven by the El Nino are threatening Malaysia’s livestock production, with experts warning of potential knock-on effects on national food security if preventive measures are not urgently adopted.

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By Aimi Mohamad Farid

 

 

SERDANG, 30 April — Rising temperatures driven by the El Nino are threatening Malaysia’s livestock production, with experts warning of potential knock-on effects on national food security if preventive measures are not urgently adopted.

 

A senior lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Dr. Aimi Nabilah Hussein, said the prolonged hot and dry conditions expected between May and July could significantly impact farm animals, particularly those less adapted to tropical climates.

 

“Animals are generally more vulnerable to heat compared to humans, thus when temperatures become too high, livestock experience heat stress, which directly affects both their health and productivity,” she said.

 

Unlike humans, many livestock species such as cattle are unable to regulate their body temperature efficiently through sweating, making them highly susceptible to extreme heat.

 

This can result in reduced feed intake, increased water consumption and an overall decline in performance.

 

 

Dr. Aimi highlighted dairy cattle as one of the most affected groups, explaining that their optimal temperature is around 15 degree Celcius, which is significantly lower than Malaysia’s daily average.

 

“In ideal conditions, a dairy cow can produce up to 40 litres of milk per day, but under heat stress, production can drop to as low as 15 to 20 litres,” she said.

 

The decline in productivity, she warned, could disrupt supply chains and place upward pressure on food prices if left unaddressed.

 

 

To mitigate these effects, she emphasized that early intervention and understanding animal behaviour are crucial, particularly for new farmers entering the livestock industry.

 

“Prevention is better than cure, and farmers need to recognise early signs of stress such as rapid breathing or unusual behaviour so that action can be taken before conditions worsen,” she said.

 

Among the key measures recommended are ensuring continuous access to clean and cool drinking water, providing adequate shade, improving ventilation and reducing stocking density in enclosures.

 

“Animals, like humans, prefer cooler conditions, and even simple steps such as supplying cooler water and proper airflow can make a significant difference,” she said.

 

Dr. Aimi also stressed the importance of adjusting feeding schedules by providing feed during cooler periods such as early morning or evening to maintain intake levels.

 

Beyond farm-level interventions, she said government agencies and institutions play a critical role in supporting farmers through training, research and advisory services.

 

“Institutions like UPM conduct research on self-resistant livestock breeds and offer training programs, while agencies such as the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) provide guidance and on-site support,” she said.

 

Without proactive measures, rising temperatures linked to climate variability could continue to disrupt livestock production, posing risks to food security and the long-term sustainability of Malaysia’s agricultural sector.

Tarikh Input: 30/04/2026 | Kemaskini: 30/04/2026 | hairul_nizam