More than 60,000 books published by MARDI sold throughout 11MP

SERDANG, Oct 13 -- A total of 60,994 copies of books published by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) were sold and distributed throughout the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP) namely between 2016 and 2020.

Its director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said among the popular books that recorded high sales with several reprints were the Lebah Kelulut Malaysia; Inovasi Pertanian Bandar; Spesies Tumbuhan Herba dan Rempah Ratus; Buku Poket Perosak Penyakit dan Rumpai Padi; and Manual Teknologi Fertigasi Penanaman Cili, Tomato dan Rockmelon. 

"Most of our target audience are farmers, entrepreneurs and academicians who use our publications as their reference,” he told reporters at the launching of books published by MARDI in conjunction with MARDI's Innovation Day (HIM) 2021 here today.

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Deputy Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah launched the four books titled MARDI Advancing Agriculture Through Innovation; Making an Impact in The Agrofood Industry: MARDI's Research 20 Years On; Buletin Pemindahan Teknologi MARDI and Prosiding MSTE 2021.

As a research institution and the originator of new technology and innovation, Mohamad Zabawi said the books by MARDI are a communication channel for it to disseminate new research findings and increasing scientific visibility among scientists and academicians.

"Various efforts have been done to encourage writing at MARDI, among them are awarding merit points for promotions, the prolific writer award, study leave, writing courses and many more,” he said.

 Mohamad Zabawi said MARDI was also publishing journals, bulletin and digital books which would be increased from time to time.

MARDI is currently developing its own e-bookshop and planning to develop a digital library, he said.

A book titled, Making an Impact in The Agrofood Industry: MARDI's Research 20 Years On tells of the impact of MARDI's technology which was developed by scientists from MARDI on economy, the environment, and health in span of 20 years from 2001 to 2020.

For the first time, MARDI published Buletin Pemindahan Teknologi MARDI which collects articles written by MARDI's research officers especially those working in the technology transfer and commercialisation sector. 

It aims to disseminate information and the impact of MARDI's technology transfer activities and technical services to the target group, he said.

-- BERNAMA