Ongoing NAFAS Reform focused On Sharpening governance, Boosting competitiveness

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) --  The ongoing reform plan for the National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS) is focused on strengthening governance and boosting the competitiveness of farmers to ensure they remain progressive and relevant in facing the future.

NAFAS Advisory Council member Datuk Hadzir Md Zain said the initiative is crucial to prevent the organisation from falling into a comfort zone and to ensure it moves in step with the government’s broader goal of reinforcing national food security.

“This reform is like servicing a machine; if it’s not maintained, it breaks down. NAFAS needs to be restructured so it can operate efficiently, effectively and continue delivering value to farmers.

“We can’t continue relying solely on government subsidies. Farmers must move towards more professional management, become more competitive and fully tap into the vast potential within the agriculture sector,” he said in a media interview at Menara Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang today.

NAFAS’s constitution was suspended effective Nov 1, 2024, with ongoing reviews and investigations into its governance and operations aimed at overhauling its management and strengthening day-to-day performance.

NAFAS has been placed under the administration of an appointed officer by the Registrar of Farmers’ Organisations during the suspension, with the Advisory Council advising the Registrar on decisions related to operational issues referred by the administrator.

Commenting on the matter, Hadzir said the temporary suspension of the board of directors was a necessary recovery measure to address internal weaknesses, particularly non-compliance in governance and management practices.

“If left unchecked, these shortcomings could harm the interests of farmers and lead to wastage and leakages,” he said.

Hadzir also pointed out that NAFAS holds significant strategic advantages, such as a nationwide network, a 300,000-metric-tonne capacity fertiliser plant, and strong logistics infrastructure, that should be fully leveraged to strengthen its role in the national agriculture sector.

“The potential of farmers' organisations is vast—it shouldn’t be limited to padi farming. We should also explore areas such as goat and cattle farming, freshwater aquaculture and crops like vegetables,” he added.

He said these capabilities must be fully harnessed to reduce the country’s dependence on food imports, such as coconuts, despite being a crop that can be cultivated locally.

“We need to break out of our comfort zone and shift our mindset. Many other high-potential crops can be grown locally and generate strong returns,” he said.

Hadzir also emphasised the urgent need to boost the involvement of youth and women in the agricultural sector through targeted training and skills development to avoid over-reliance on an ageing farmer population.

With over five decades in the industry, Hadzir said it’s time for the organisation to step up, becoming more independent, efficient, and competitive, while ensuring its assets and business opportunities are fully maximised for the benefit of its members.

He called on all farmers to unite behind the reform agenda, strengthen the organisation’s foundations, and seize the opportunities provided by the government to make agriculture a sustainable, profitable and resilient sector.

-- BERNAMA