Najib and Shabery (second left) visit the exhibition area. — Photos by Jeferrey Mostapa and Tang SW.
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Farmers will have more venues to sell their produce as four more farmers’ markets and 10 new 1Malaysia People’s Agrobazaars (ABR1M) will be built in the state next year.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak revealed this at the National-Level Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen Day celebration held at Kota Samarahan Civic Centre yesterday.
The new markets for agricultural produce are part of the initiative under Budget 2016 to increase farmers’ markets by 50 more and establish 150 new ABR1M throughout Malaysia.
In tandem with building more agricultural marketing outlets Budget 2016 will allocate RM5.3 billion to the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry to develop agriculture and increase food production.
“The Medan Niaga Satok is such a vibrant market and I really hope to see more of such markets and bazaars being set up in other parts of Sarawak to provide for the needs of the communities as well as businesses,” he said.
The celebration was also attended by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Dato Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang.
Najib pointed out that the nation had reported food trade deficit of RM17 million each year.
He thus urged farmers, breeders and fishermen to change their mindset and adopt new technologies in their agriculture practices to improve their yields which is in line with this year’s celebration theme ‘Agrotechnology – Catalyst of Transformation’.
“The government has placed great emphasis on developing the agriculture sector as well as rural areas to ensure it is transformed into a modern, dynamic, innovative and competitive sector.
“We must push the agriculture sector forward to be developed and on par with countries like Japan, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand where farmers can make better and more income,” he added.
Modernisation of agriculture was crucial, Najib said, to increase productivity and yields as well as expand productions.
“Farmers, breeders and fishermen here today should explore the new opportunities around and gain more knowledge on how to benefit from using technologies in their practices,” he advised.
Najib hoped to see Sarawak increase production of the Bario rice that had a huge demand despite being more expensive than ordinary rice.
“Upland rice in Sarawak is a subsector involving 60,000 farmers where the government will allocate RM70 million in fertilisers and pesticides subsidy for 2016,” he said.
“I am happy to note that production of special rice involving a total area of 285 acres has increased from 1.6 tonne to 3.6 tonne per hectare through government’s efforts such as mechanisation,” he added.
The highland in Sarawak, he highlighted, should also be given due attention to be developed into integrated agricultural centres like Cameron Highland and Kundasang Sabah.
On the fishing industry, Najib revealed that construction of a RM250 million fishing complex at Tanjung Bako is still ongoing and expected to be completed by 2017 while another complex will be built in Beladin at a cost of RM21 million and expected to be completed next year.
“We recognise the significant contributions of farmers, breeders and fishermen in strengthening the food sector as well as the country’s economy. They are our heroes,” he said.
Najib assured that the government will continue to develop this important sector with the focus on infrastructure upgrades, youth agropreneur development programmes, research and development and fruit and vegetable cultivation.
“We want to see the agriculture sector grow by 3.5 per cent per annum and contribute 7.8 per cent to Gross Domestic product (GDP) by 2020,” he said.
Najib receives the oath scroll from a National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen representative (right).