JUBILANT: Members of the newly established Kor Tani at the launching ceremony.
KUCHING: The newly established Kor Tani MOA (Sarawak Zone) should consider expanding to the rural areas and not just confined to big towns.
Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Farmers’ Organisation) Datuk Sylvester Entri suggested that the establishment play an effective role in disseminating information to farmers at the grassroots level and also wished that it gradually expand to the smaller towns in the state.
Speaking at the launch of Kor Tani MOA in Santubong near here yesterday, he said it was in line with the government’s vision to transform the agriculture sector into a modern, dynamic and competitive major global food producer.
Also present was Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Research and Marketing) Datuk Mong Dagang.
“We implement this (Kor Tani) programme because of the importance in sustaining the agriculture sector which is now more challenging.
“I believe that very soon this sector will become even more important because by 2050 the world is predicted to face a food crisis,” Entri said.
He said this was where Kor Tani, a body comprising various agencies under the purview of Agriculture Ministry, could play significant role in helping the government implement its various programmes.
“The agriculture sector contributes significantly towards the economic growth of the country through the creation of jobs and increase the income level of the rural people,” he said.
However, he said the global climate change which influenced the weather pattern in many parts of the world could cause a drop in food production.
“The problem we are facing now is that we are having lesser land for agriculture and a drop in food production while our population keeps on increasing.
“In view of this we have no other choice but to make some initiatives and have proper planning so as to increase food production to ensure sufficient supply,” he added.
He said the government, in ensuring that the agriculture sector would be able to sustain itself, had been giving various kinds of assistance to all the industry players.
According to Entri, the intention of the government was to develop its people through modern agriculture. Farmers must change their mindset and think about doing things in a big scale.
“We must look at agriculture today not just as a way to produce food for our own consumption but as a business entity with great potential,” he said.