Southeast Asia’s young farmers dig in for the future in ‘call to return to the land’

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Ushar DanieleJanuary 19, 2026 at 01:00 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Aizat Halim, a 31-year-old Malaysian, left a marketing career in Kuala Lumpur in 2020 to pursue farming, driven by market opportunities and a lifelong connection to the land. Despite graduating with marketing degrees from US and UK colleges, he started a pineapple farm on family land in Janda Baik. He now manages six hectares across multiple states, cultivating various fruits like pineapples, durian, and mangosteen. His decision was influenced by the high demand for MD2 pineapples, a hybrid popular in urban areas. Halim's story exemplifies a growing trend of young people in Southeast Asia returning to agriculture.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 40% UK 40% Malaysian Football League 50% Selangor 50% Kedah 50% Pahang 50% Janda Baik 60% Kuala Lumpur ×270% Malaysia 70% Aizat Halim ×390%

Keywords

farming 100% young farmers 90% agriculture 80% aizat halim 80% southeast asia 70% pineapple farm 70% md2 pineapples 60% return to the land 60% market opportunity 60% kuala lumpur 50%