PNB, KPKM Ink MoU To Strengthen Agrofood Research

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), through its research arm, PNB Research Institute (PNBRI), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to strengthen research in the country’s agrofood sector.

PNB Group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda said the strategic collaboration reflects PNB’s commitment to generating long-term value beyond investment returns, in line with environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.

“The ministry’s willingness to share relevant data and information is extremely important and meaningful to us. In return, PNBRI will give its full commitment to conducting in-depth and high-quality research.

“I believe this collaboration will help the government formulate more effective policies, in addition to making a significant impact on the agriculture industry, food security and national development as a whole,” he said at the MoU signing ceremony here.

KPKM secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak and PNBRI chief executive officer Dr Sarena Che Omar signed the MoU, witnessed by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Raja Arshad.

Raja Arshad said the collaboration also supports the GEAR-uP initiative, a programme under the MADANI Economic Framework that coordinates the efforts of government-linked investment companies (GLICs) in driving growth in key sectors of the national economy.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said the strategic cooperation covers three main areas: sharing expertise and research in agricultural and agrofood data analysis; development of agricultural technical and vocational education and training (TVET); and utilisation of data from the 2024 Agricultural Census.

“This MoU is a proactive step by KPKM to formulate stronger policies based on accurate data and evidence, which will greatly benefit the country’s agrofood ecosystem.

“This collaboration is expected to produce high-quality research that will serve as the foundation for integrated policies, in line with the National Agrofood Policy (NAP) 2021-2030 or NAP 2.0,” he said.

He added that the MoU also reflects the government’s commitment to modernising the agricultural sector and opening a new era of cooperation between the public sector and GLICs.

-- BERNAMA