Agrofood sector expected to grow 4.5 pct annually during 1MP - Ronald Kiandee

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 9 -- The agrofood sector is expected to grow at a rate of 4.5 per cent a year during the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) period (2021-2025) and this will place the sector among the main contributors to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, in a statement today, said the agriculture sector is projected to grow 3.8 per cent a year during the 12MP and contribute seven per cent to GDP in 2025.

"During the 12MP period, the agriculture sector will be intensified by using smart technology to increase productivity and strengthen the level of national food security across all agrofood sub-sectors," he said.

The initiatives include high-tech agricultural methods including big data analysis, artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT) as well as precision equipment such as drones, robotics and sensors at the Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPM), he said.

Ronald said vertical and indoor smart farming methods will be expanded by leveraging existing land and derelict buildings.

"Going forward, farmers will be encouraged to adopt organic farming practices to meet the growing demand for organic products and generate higher incomes," he said.

In the field of fishery, Ronald said cooperatives and associations would be encouraged to venture into deep-sea and offshore fishing activities by using modern vessels and innovative equipment to increase yields and competitiveness as well as promote a sustainable fishing industry.

He said the livestock sector would be given focus with the aim of increasing local meat production and food security through good and modern farming practices.

To encourage modernisation in the agriculture sector, he said new financing mechanisms and incentive structures would be introduced to accelerate the development of high-potential industries, especially to adopt the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy technology.

Ronald said a dedicated smart agriculture fund would be created to accelerate the adoption of modern technology in the agricultural sector and would provide opportunities for farmers especially young agropreneurs to modernise agricultural activities along the value chain.

"This initiative will attract quality investments, create more jobs and produce more high value-added products," he said, adding that it would also address issues of food security and dependence on low-skilled foreign labour.

Ronald said farmers, cooperatives, associations as well as middle and downstream industries would also be encouraged to utilise e-commerce platforms to enhance the marketing of agricultural produce to reduce over-reliance on middlemen.

"This platform will also open up opportunities for outsourcing of plantation machinery and equipment services to fully utilise resources and achieve cost-efficiency," he said.

He said the skills of the workforce involving the youths would be enhanced through the review of the curriculum and training modules to create a competent workforce to meet current and future needs.

According to him, MAFI (the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Industries) welcomed the emphasis on food security which had been given due priority in the 12MP and approved without amendments in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

He said it would enhance the capacity of the agrofood sector as a sustainable, resilient and high-tech sector that could drive economic growth and improve the well-being of the people as well as prioritise the country's food security.

"The food security assurance element is the ministry's priority for the next five years in an effort to increase the country's food availability," he said.

Ronald also said the strategies and initiatives under the National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0) and the National Food Security Policy Action Plan (DSMN) 2021-2025 would continue to be implemented to achieve food security level targets and comply with international food safety standards.

He added that MAFI was committed to implementing all the strategies outlined under the 12MP to achieve the targets set in reshaping the country's future in line with the goals of prosperity, inclusivity and sustainability in the Shared Prosperity Vision (WKB) 2030.

-- BERNAMA