{
  "id": 18447565,
  "title": "Melaka polls: PH eyes idle land to strengthen agriculture sector",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/melaka-polls-ph-eyes-idle-land-to-strengthen-agriculture-sector",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T05:12:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1572071/melaka-polls-ph-eyes-idle-land-strengthen-agriculture-sector"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Melaka's Pakatan Harapan leaders see potential in upgrading the state's agricultural sector by enticing more young individuals to participate, as outlined in their Aspirasi Melaka Rumah Kita manifesto. Adly Zahari, the Melaka PH chairman, proposed using idle land for agricultural purposes to boost the local economy and improve the well-being of residents. According to the 2024 Agriculture Census by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, 77,965 hectares of cultivated land exist in Melaka. This indicates that there are existing agricultural resources that can be expanded by developing suitable areas, enhancing water management, and implementing modern farming techniques.\n\nAdly emphasized the need for increased youth involvement to revitalize Melaka's agriculture sector, boost the state's food supply, and lower dependency on agricultural imports. He pointed out that a significant portion of uncultivated land, particularly in the Alor Gajah district, including Masjid Tanah, remains unused, presenting an opportunity for agricultural development. When the PH government was in power, they cultivated almost 30 acres of land belonging to Yayasan Melaka for cash crops.",
  "summary": "MELAKA: Pakatan Harapan sees potential to strengthen the state's agriculture sector by encouraging greater participation among young people, in line with the coalition's aspirations under its Aspirasi Melaka Rumah Kita manifesto.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}