MELAKA, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government will implement a comprehensive agricultural transformation to reduce its reliance on senior citizens in the sector and encourage more youth participation.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the 2024 Melaka Agricultural Census Interim Report found that only 1,316 youths, or 10.1 per cent, are involved in agriculture, while over half of the state’s agricultural operators are aged 60 and above.
“We are now facing a serious challenge as the majority of those involved in agriculture are senior citizens. In light of this, the state government is committed to introducing a new transformation to ensure that farming becomes a career that can and should be passed down to future generations,” he told reporters after the launch of the interim report here today.
Also present was Chief Statistician and 2024 Agricultural Census commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin.
Ab Rauf said that one of the key strategies is expanding the use of modern technology in large-scale farming, which could help draw more young people into the sector that generated a total sales value of RM3.6 billion.
“Access to grants, modern training and market opportunities will also be expanded for youth. These initiatives are aimed at shifting perceptions that agriculture is no longer a traditional occupation but a lucrative and professional career path,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ab Rauf said the state government is also focused on strengthening land centralisation to help smallholders benefit from economies of scale.
He said Melaka has 77,900 hectares of cultivated land, comprising 24,000 hectares under individual ownership and 53,400 hectares under organisations.
“Many individual farmers are operating on small plots, which limits their productivity and income. This calls for a more efficient land centralisation policy, adoption of smart technologies and collaborative models to make the agricultural sector more competitive,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
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