Johor government warns prolonged haze could disrupt crops, livestock, fisheries, and farm operations.
Johor authorities said they had received no reports of haze-related disruptions to agricultural activities as of October 19, but warned that prolonged exposure could affect food production, livestock health and workers across the sector.
Prolonged Haze Could Affect Production
Johor agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Md Israk Abdullah said prolonged exposure to the current haze could affect agricultural activities, livestock farming and fish production. He warned that persistent haze could interfere with plant growth, livestock health and production operations.
No Sector Disruptions Reported Yet
Despite the warning, Johor had not received reports of the haze affecting agricultural or agrofood activities as of October 19. The state government said relevant agencies would continue monitoring conditions and collecting feedback from farmers, livestock operators, fishermen, and other industry participants to identify any emerging disruptions.
Worker Health Becomes Priority
State authorities are also monitoring potential health effects on people working outdoors across the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Md Israk urged operators to follow official health advice, keep track of Air Pollutant Index readings, and reduce non-essential outdoor activities when pollution reaches unhealthy levels.
Five Johor Areas Record Unhealthy Air
At 6 p.m. on October 19, five areas in Johor recorded unhealthy API readings. Tangkak was highest at 160, followed by Pasir Gudang at 156, Batu Pahat at 154, Larkin at 151, and Kota Tinggi at 119. The readings reinforced concerns about continued outdoor exposure if haze conditions persist.
Johor Seeks to Protect Food Supply
The state government said it remains committed to protecting the agriculture and agrofood sectors to maintain stable production and food supplies. Authorities will continue evaluating whether prolonged haze begins affecting output or field operations, while stressing that the current warnings describe potential risks rather than confirmed agricultural losses.
For Malaysians, particularly those working in Johor’s agriculture and fisheries sectors, the warning highlights how extended haze could move beyond public health concerns and begin affecting food production and livelihoods. For Singaporeans and Indonesians following the same regional haze episode, developments in neighboring Johor show how prolonged poor air quality can create wider economic and operational risks even before measurable production losses appear.
Sources: Asia News Network (2026) , Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: Johor Haze 2026, Malaysia Agriculture, Fisheries Johor, Air Pollution Malaysia, Johor API, Agrofood Sector
