Malaysia plans to review its approach to agriculture by modernising the sector and adopting smart farming to boost farmers’ income and advance the sector.
Malaysia plans to review its approach to agriculture by modernising the sector and adopting smart farming to boost farmers’ income and advance the sector. (Photo: thesundaily.my)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia plans toreview its approach to agriculture by modernising the sector and adopting smartfarming to boost farmers’ income and advance the sector.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department(Economy) Mustapa Mohamed said the sector remained important to the economy,even more so as the COVID-19 pandemic brought new perspectives on food securityand jobs creation.
In the next three to four years, the government plansto transform the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) by diversifying theincome streams of its settlers, which is currently dependent on oil palm andrubber planting, he said during a dialogue session with World Bank Groupcountry manager for Malaysia, Firas Raad.
Citing an example, Mustapa said cattle breeding maybe one of the potential areas to be considered.
Mustapa said Malaysia could be building anagriculture sector that is more responsive to the country’s contemporary foodeconomy, including developing the capacity to supply more high-value foods thatthe region and Malaysia consume - including fragrant rice varieties.
Statistics show that as of 2019, agricultureaccounted for about 11 percent of employment and 7.1 percent of Malaysia’sgross domestic product (GDP).
According to the WB’s representative, Malaysia’seconomy is expected to grow by 6.7 percent in 2021./.
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Malaysia plans to review its approach to agriculture by modernising the sector and adopting smart farming to boost farmers’ income and advance the sector. (Photo: thesundaily.my) 
