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INTRODUCTION

DEVELOPMENTS RELEVANT TO MALAYAN AGRICULTURE IN THE POST-RUBBER CRISIS ERA (1920-21) by Khoo Kay Kim. INTRODUCTION. Rubber emerged as one of the twin pillars in Malaysia’s economic history The price of rubber fell drastically after the end of the European War (1914-18)

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INTRODUCTION

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  1. DEVELOPMENTS RELEVANT TO MALAYAN AGRICULTUREIN THE POST-RUBBERCRISIS ERA (1920-21)byKhoo Kay Kim

  2. INTRODUCTION • Rubber emerged as one of the twin pillars in Malaysia’s economic history • The price of rubber fell drastically after the end of the European War (1914-18) • This led to the introduction of the Stevenson Restriction Scheme aimed at curtailing production in order to stabilize prices.

  3. Disagreement occurred between; - Rubber dealers and rubber planters - Plantation producers and smallholders - Rubber manufacturers and rubber producers • In effect it was accused as ‘Restriction of Constriction’

  4. However Stanley Baldwin (British Gov.) terminated the scheme. • Beside that, there were other important developments in the post-rubber era: • Attempts at the diversification of commercial agriculture • Establishment of the Rubber Research Institute (RRI) • Founding of the Asiatic Planters’ Association of Malaya (APAM) • Setting up of the School of Agriculture in Serdang

  5. 1.ATTEMPTS AT DIVERSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

  6. The remarkable success of rubber cultivation had resulted in the neglect of other possible crops • Since rubber crisis, broadening of the base of agriculture in the country had not been in vain. • Proportionately, while the area under rubber had doubled in 1932, others crops demonstrated increase too..

  7. PLANTATION Before After (acres) Rubber 779,170 1,506,544 Coconut 72,149 240,020 Paddy 197,000 194,580 Coffee 2,364 8,789 Other crops 6,112 70,494 (oil palm 15,762) Source: Malayan Agriculture handbook

  8. What are those crops? • Tea was among the newer cultivated products • Coffee have a good market when roasted and also ground ready for planting • Paddy planting became main occupation among Malays after the establishment of the Drainage and Irrigation Department in 1932 and the launch of few major paddy schemes.

  9. Other crops mainly comprises fruits, vegetables, spices, drugs, fibres, sugar cane and raw products for alcohol production • The highlands in Malaya were being developed to plant vegetables which act as an import substitute. • In the early 1920s, Nipah palm, Paper-pulp, kapok and cinchona were among the agricultural products being seriously investigated by the agricultural department.

  10. Nipah palm was described as a ‘tantalising enterprise, suitable to produce alcohol, it ought to be one of the best paying crops in the country. • Middle of 1922, a lot of enquiries received by the department about others products – tuba roots, manila & others hemp, jute, Arghan fibre, cotton, sugar cane, cocoa, groundnuts etc. • Coconuts is essential in the production of toddy

  11. Tapioca’s root contains 25% of starch and is capable of producing 39 gallons of alcohol • Sugar were extracted from lalang by cutting exposed roots of lalang and collecting the juice which exuded. • Pineapples and coffee received more attention than tapioca as a catch crop • Tuba root was the finest insecticide used.

  12. Malayan oil palm was making a steady progress by late 1920s, in term of exports : • 1926 – 726 tons of palm oil • 1927 – 852 tons of palm oil • 1928 – 1460 tons of palm oil • 1929 – 1831 tons of palm oil • Within about 10 years after the rubber crisis era, agricultural diversification had achieved some measure of success.

  13. 2.ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RUBBER RESEARCH INSTITUTE(RRI)

  14. Agricultural Department was set up in 1905 to assist in rubber cultivation. • There also emerged a number of research stations undertaking work on behalf of various groups of companies, such as; i. 1st research station, Research Station of the Societe Financiere des Caoutchours (Kajang, 1908-22) ii. 2nd research station, Malay Peninsula Agricultural Association (Caledonia Estate, Province Wellesley,1910- 26) iii. 3rd research station, Rubber Growers Association, RGA (Petaling Estate, Kuala Lumpur 1911-26)

  15. RGA was the best qualified to carry out research work. By 1924, RGA had expended on rubber research in Malaya a sum about $600,00. • RRI was established in September 1925 • To finance the institute; an export tax was placed on the rubber leaving Malaya

  16. Purposes of RRI: • Research into and investigation of all problems and matters relating to cultivation and preparation of rubber • Discover an application of fundamental principles for the benefit of the industry • Undertake the supply of scientific and technical information • Provide facilities for dissemination and utilisations in the industry

  17. RRI’s divisions: 1. Botanical Division - anatomical, physiological and plant breeding investigation 2. Chemical Division - technological problems of latex & preparation for market 3. Soils Division - investigations on soil, physical works on latex, biology of soils and meteorological observation 4. Pathological Division - diseases and pests of rubber and epidemiology of rubber diseases in Malaya.

  18. 1925: Lectures were given to local branches of PAM (Planters’ Association of Malaya) and ISP (Incorporated Society of Planters) • 1927: 18 lectures were delivered • 1928: 26 lectures were delivered • Subjects covered: Work of the RRI, Preparation of Rubber, Budding, Improvement of Yields, Soil Improvement, Manuring of Rubber, Rubber Diseases, Seed Selection, Factory Operations and Cover Crops

  19. RRI had decided three types of publications would be issued as a permanent record of research work: • Bulletins • A Quarterly Journal • Planting Manuals

  20. 3. FOUNDINGOF THEASIATIC PLANTERS’ASSOCIATION OF MALAYA(APAM)

  21. Stevenson Scheme was complex and not easily understood, therefore it created much division among rubber planting community. It could not always guarantee that all producers would be fairly treated. • On 4th of April 1925: Choo Kia Peng (Chinese Unofficial Member of Federal Council) called for a meeting Formation of Asiatic Producers’ Association of Malaya(1931)

  22. 4. SETTING UPOF THESCHOOL OF AGRICULTUREAT SERDANG

  23. Before the outbreak of European War Concern with the possibility of food shortage A committee was set by the FMS Government to establish a local college of tropical agriculture The committee disposed the idea Birth of Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture not in Malaya but in Trinidad

  24. In 1925, proposal by Technical Education Committee in Singapore A Committee from both the FMS and Straits Settlements governments was appointed Draw a scheme for the establishment of agricultural schools In 1927, definite proposals for a School of Agriculture at Serdang was presented to the Federal Council

  25. During mid-1928, further discussions were held in the Straits Legislative Council Tan Cheng Lock urged to hasten the building of the agricultural school Straits Government contributed $37,000 In 19 March 1930, foundation stone was laid in the $250,000 School of Agriculture at Serdang In 1931, teaching began in the School

  26. The School have 2 grades of learning: • Longer and more scientific course for government employees • Similar course for less educated classes • A 3rd class was being suggested for those being educated in local schools and had no other potential future jobs than being a clerk • The main course last for 3 years and was conducted in English • 1 year of the main course will be like the farm school type which was mainly conducted in vernacular

  27. In April 1934, the 1st batch of students graduated • In April 1935, the 2nd batch graduated: • All the Malay graduates secured employment from the government before their graduation • All Chinese graduates found jobs as the demands for their expertise increases • Very few Indian graduates secured jobs as the demands for them were low

  28. School of Agriculture suffered financial stringency for several years Achieved college status Upgraded to Agricultural University of Malaysia in 1971 Closing down of Agriculture Faculty of the University of Malaya Renamed Putra University of Malaysia

  29. CONCLUSION

  30. In 1910, overdependence on a single product (rubber) caused problem when prices began to fluctuate • In 1916, other alternative crops were experimented • In 1920, Colonial Research Committee was set up in Britain to carry out researches that encourages economic development • In 1926, research was carried out to improve ways of rubber production • Private efforts were replaced by a central research agency, RRI

  31. Formation of APAM, which was intended to function as a lobby group among rubber planters and foreign investors. • Foundation of Serdang School of Agriculture in 1930 to encourage agricultural studies. • During the post-rubber crisis era, the print media and experienced members of planting community help to create awareness of knowledge both technically and commercially. • Developments during the post-rubber crisis era created employment opportunities as well as a modern and technologically orientated Malaysia

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