The functions of PSA according to its units are as follows:

Policy and Strategic Unit (DS)

• Formulate, implement, monitor, and evaluate policies, strategies, and action plans related to the Agribusiness Sector, including the National Agribusiness Policy (DAKN), the Ministry's Strategic Plan, Ministry Retreats, and related matters;
• Provide inputs related to the Agribusiness Sector for the Five-Year Malaysia Plan, master plans, and national policies;
• Serve as the secretariat for Ministry consultation sessions with industry representatives and non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
• Coordinate planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Ministry's Risk Management Plan and Good Regulatory Practices;
• Provide input and coordinate the Ministry's involvement in national-level meetings/committees/councils related to national policies and sustainability agendas;
• Coordinate and provide reviews for Memorandums/Notes of the Cabinet related to national policies and sustainability agendas from other Ministries/Agencies;
• Plan and establish policies/strategies related to the sustainability of the Agribusiness Sector, covering environmental elements, climate change, natural resources, biodiversity, and sustainable development;
• Coordinate issues and provide input and feedback related to the sustainability of the Agribusiness Sector from other Ministries/Agencies; and
• Plan and coordinate the Ministry's involvement in international conferences and meetings related to the sustainability agenda.

Cooperation and International Unit (AB)

• Coordinate the Ministry's stance on agribusiness issues at regional and international levels;
• Coordinate the country's stance on agribusiness issues in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations;
• Monitor agribusiness issues within ongoing FTAs;
• Coordinate agribusiness-related issues in international organizations;
• Coordinate the preparation of memorandums of understanding and international agreements on cooperation in the agribusiness field;
• Coordinate and provide the Ministry's reviews for Memorandums/Cabinet Notes from other Ministries/Agencies;
• Prepare Summary Notes/Meeting Notes/Agribusiness Trade Briefs;
• Participate in international bilateral meetings and negotiations related to agribusiness;
• Coordinate the Ministry's participation in scheduled overseas meetings;
• Coordinate agribusiness-related issues in international organizations; and
• Coordinate economic/technical missions, annual working visits, and meetings for Ministry Administration and Senior Management abroad.

Coordination and Statistics Unit (PS)

• Coordinate the Ministry's parliamentary affairs;
• Coordinate the Ministry's Cabinet Meeting affairs;
• Serve as the secretariat for Post-Cabinet/Top Management/Ministry Management Meetings;
• Coordinate the Ministry's involvement in key government meetings conducted by external parties to ensure inputs are delivered efficiently, accurately, and effectively, including the following meetings:
  1. Meeting of the Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers (MBKM);
  2. Meeting of Chief Secretaries and Heads of Services (KSUKP);
  3. Meeting of the National Planning and Development Committee (JPPN);
  4. Meeting of the National Disaster Management Committee (JPBN); and
  5. Other meetings as directed.

• Publish the Agribusiness Statistics Book;
• Coordinate data collection for the Ministry's Commodity Database System (PDC); and
• Manage administration, human resources, finance, and service delivery quality to ensure smooth and effective Division operations.

KPI and Bumiputera Agenda Empowerment Unit (PAB)

• Coordinate and monitor the Minister's KPIs;
• Coordinate and monitor KPIs of Senior Public Service Management (PPTPA) for Tier 1 (KSU), Tier 2 (TKSU), and Tier 3 (JUSA) in the Ministry;
• Coordinate updates for the Ministry's MyAspirasi and MyKPI Systems;
• Coordinate the preparation of the Minister's KPI Dictionary and PPTPA KPIs;
• Coordinate and monitor the Ministry's Outcome-Based Budgeting (OBB) KPIs;
• Coordinate updates for the Ministry's MyResults System;
• Implement the functions of the Ministry's Bumiputera Economic Empowerment Unit (UPAB);
• Coordinate the implementation of policies, strategies, and programs related to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (PMKS); and
• Coordinate the implementation of policies, strategies, and programs related to cooperative development.

What is the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)?

NDC is each member country's commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in implementing mitigation efforts through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change as outlined in the Paris Agreement of 2015. Through the NDC, Malaysia is committed to reducing the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to the emission intensity in 2005. The agribusiness sector plays a significant role in contributing to the achievement of the country's NDC through the implementation of various mitigation programs and initiatives such as biofuel programs, biogas capture from palm oil mill effluent, sustainable commodity certification schemes like the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) and Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), as well as limiting the expansion of commodity crop areas.

How does the agribusiness sector contribute to achieving the country's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The agribusiness sector contributes to the achievement of the country's SDGs through the implementation of sustainable commodity certification schemes like the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO), which contributes to Goal 2 of the SDGs (Zero Hunger), and the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), which contributes to Goal 15 of the SDGs (Life on Land). Additionally, the agribusiness sector contributes to the annual growth of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which aligns with Goal 8 of the SDGs (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

What is RCEP?

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed agreement between member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their free trade agreement (FTA) partners. The agreement aims to cover trade in goods and services, intellectual property, and other areas.

RCEP is an ASEAN-driven initiative aimed at integrating the economies of 16 countries in Asia and Oceania. The leaders of the 16 participating countries agreed that RCEP would involve broader and deeper engagement with significant enhancements over the existing ASEAN Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPs) with these countries.

When was RCEP introduced?

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership was introduced during the 19th ASEAN meeting held in November 2011. RCEP negotiations began at the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in November 2012. The 16 participating countries include the 10 ASEAN countries, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, and New Zealand.

Why is RCEP important?

The 16 countries involved in RCEP negotiations contribute to one-third of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and cover nearly half of the world's population. The combined GDP of China and India alone constitutes a significant portion of the world's GDP. RCEP's presence in the global economy could contribute to half of the estimated $0.5 quadrillion global GDP (PPP) by 2050.

What are the objectives of RCEP?

RCEP aims to create an integrated market among 16 countries, making it easier for products and services from these countries to be available in the region. Negotiations focus on the following areas: trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, dispute resolution, e-commerce, small and medium enterprises, and economic cooperation.

China's role in RCEP

RCEP was initiated by the Chinese government in 2012 to counter other existing FTAs at the time, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The US-led TPP did not include China. However, in 2016, US President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the TPP. Since then, RCEP has become a primary tool for China to counter US efforts to restrict trade with China.

Is the National Agribusiness Policy the same as the National Agrofood Policy?

The National Agribusiness Policy (DAKN) and the National Agrofood Policy (DAN) were formulated after the expiration of the National Agricultural Policy in 2010. The National Agribusiness Policy encompasses core policies and strategies for the agribusiness industry, including palm oil, rubber, timber, pepper, cocoa, kenaf, and other commodities that will be identified. In contrast, the National Agrofood Policy is specifically formulated for the agrofood industry, covering livestock, crops, and fisheries.