Malaysia

Potato cultivation in Malaysia remains a small but strategically important agricultural activity, primarily aimed at reducing import dependence. The major potato-growing regions are concentrated in highland areas such as the Cameron Highlands in Pahang, which is the most prominent production zone situated at elevations above 1,000 meters. These areas offer cool, temperate conditions and suitable soil profiles conducive to successful potato cultivation, making them ideal for both commercial production and research initiatives.

Smaller-scale potato farming also occurs in other elevated regions such as Kundasang in Sabah and Fraser’s Hill in Pahang. In recent years, efforts have been made to expand potato cultivation into selected lowland areas, including Telong on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and parts of Selangor and Kedah, where mechanized systems and adapted cultural practices have been introduced to overcome the challenges posed by warmer, non-traditional soils.

In addition to potatoes, Malaysia also cultivates sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) extensively, particularly in states such as Perak, Kelantan, and Selangor, where predominantly orange-fleshed varieties are grown under diverse agro-ecological conditions.