Upm Food Security Blueprint To Drive Tech-based Agriculture Strategy - Vc

SERDANG, June 7 (Bernama) -- The Food Security Blueprint at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) will drive the latest strategies and initiatives in agriculture in line with technology developments thus enabling the country to achieve sustainable food security.

UPM vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah said the introduction of the blueprint will help strengthen the country's agricultural industry as well as to demonstrate the university's role in benefitting the community.

He said the blueprint can be used not only as a reference for academics but for various levels in helping food security issues.

"For a university such as UPM which has expertise, it will be a shame if we do not snergise our efforts to help in this matter (food security issues)," he said.

"We hope to ensure the efforts in the university are respected and recognised to help the country, to help the world and human civilisation. (Through the blueprint) everyone is waiting for the research findings, and InsyaAllah (God willing), it can be taken to the next level to help the country's problems (in the issue of food security)."

He said this to reporters today after the launch of the Food Security Blueprint at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

The blueprint is towards making a meaningful contribution to food security through academic excellence, impact research and innovation as well as community and industry involvement.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Farhan said the blueprint also emphasises the preparation of new talents as well as hones existing talents who are interested in technology.

"We also want to play a role in helping farmers, for example, those who are seniors and not familiar with technology...UPM and other universities can help," he said, adding that it is hoped that UPM graduates  can become ambassadors in the field of agriculture.

"We can help industries still using the old farming methods..." 

Ahmad Farhan said UPM as a leading university in the area of food security and with an international reputation, will carry out continuous monitoring so that this blueprint can be successfully implemented.

He said the IPT Food Security Nexus will also be established among public and private institutions of higher learning (IPT and IPTA) to ensure they use the UPM Food Security Blueprint.

"It is a rare synergy, IPTAs and IPTs will unite in a nexus which will be led by UPM. We will translate the blueprint into an actual situation," he added.

-- BERNAMA