The latest technological approach in the agricultural sector is the best way to ensure the continuity of food supply in the country.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Datuk Seri Dr. Ronald Kiandee said that by using the latest technology, it will indirectly increase agricultural production.
“We need to collaborate with the private sector to develop the technology, and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) also plays an important role.
“We also have the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) which studies various technologies for use in the agro-food industry.
“With the synergy of the study between the two ministries and others, I am confident we will move towards more modern agriculture by applying the knowledge,” he said at a press conference after a working visit to the Kuala Kangsar Permanent Farmers’ Market site and FAMA Manong Agro-Food Marketing Centre on Saturday.
Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and FAMA director-general Datuk Zainal Abidin Yang Razalli.
He added that MAFI will continue to work closely with all parties, including the state government, as well as the private sector in an effort to strengthen the country’s food security agenda.
In the meantime, he said, the focus of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) is now on the goal of developing the agro-food industry.
“We need to reduce food imports in all sub-sectors, there is still room for us to develop agricultural products, so that we can export to other countries,” he added.
During the visit, he also inspected the FAMA Agro-Food Marketing Center in Manong, Kuala Kangsar which has been upgraded on four acres of land.
It serves as a business model and reference centre for the marketing of technological agricultural products.
Through the development of this center, it can directly provide opportunities and exposure to the youth on the latest technology in the agricultural sector, thus optimizing the use of government-owned idle lands.
The technological agricultural product marketing reference center, which is also part of the FAMA Agro-Food Marketing Center, was developed on the Public Works Department (JKR) reserve land, covering an area of 2.5 acres.
It operates by applying the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) which is using fertigation, hydroponics and aquaponics system methods in one area.
For the record, this method gives a return of up to RM90 thousand in a period with the production of two commodities, namely organic vegetables of 3.3 metric tons and tilapia fish of 4,000 heads.
This project is a manifestation of the government to optimise the use of idle and undeveloped land owned by the Federal government and Malay reserve land leased for agricultural or business projects.
Rosli
