CM tells agropreneurs to exploit Maha catalyst

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KUCHING: The federal government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, is looking to further empower the development of agropreneurs in the state to become more competitive in the upscale and international market.

Jabu, representing the chief minister at the state-level ‘Road to Maha 2014’ expo, holds up local fruits. On his right is Azini Mohd Shahid.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the federal ministry has planned to aid local agro-based entrepreneurs in terms of training, including the labelling and packaging of products for a bigger appeal to break into foreign markets and hypermarket sector.

“The development of technologies and skills in the agriculture sector would become the catalyst for entrepreneurs to commercially increase their product value. This is part of developing the state’s agriculture sector.

“Sarawakian entrepreneurs are encouraged to utilise such given opportunities,” he said in conjunction with the state-level “Road to Maha 2014” expo at Medan Niaga Satok here yesterday.

His text of speech was read by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu who is also Modernisation of Agriculture Minister.

Also present were Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry deputy principal secretary Azini Mohd Shahid who represented the minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and Assistant Minister of Agriculture (Farmer’s Organisation) Datuk Sylvester Entri.

This year’s biennial Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (Maha 2014) series is themed “Agrotechnology – Catalyst for Transformation”, in line with the government’s effort to produce sustainable agriculture as the catalyst to economic development.

Sarawak is the 10th state to host the ‘Road to Maha’ series before the main expo on Nov 20-30 to be held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS) at Serdang, Selangor. The next stop of the series would be Terengganu on Sept 25-27.

Adenan added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, in collaboration with the state’s Modernisation of Agriculture Ministry, will increase dialogues with the people on various agriculture, aquaculture and livestock farming issues.

Agrobank and National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (Tekun Nasional) would also be involved to promote its role as the financial agency covering agriculture and entrepreneurship sectors.

Adenan also touched on the establishment of the Young Agropreneur Unit and Agropreneur Consultative Council under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, which encourages youths to participate in farmers’ organisations.

“These programmes, to encourage the younger generations to participate in the agriculture sector, would provide training in various packages,” he highlighted.

Adenan also mentioned that the state would send a number of entrepreneurs to take part in the national-level Maha 2014 expo.

Meanwhile, Azini in his speech earlier, said Maha 2014 state-level programme is a collaboration between the state and federal governments to upgrade the country’s agriculture sector, particularly in Sarawak.

He added that Maha is regarded as one of the biggest and comprehensive agriculture events in Asia and ranked as Tier 1 agro-exhibition on the global stage.

“Maha 2014 has been engineered as an on-field programme to meet directly with its target groups such as farmers, live-stock farmers and fishermen while providing various services through relevant government agencies.

“This initiative is also to strengthen the agro-based sector to become the main thrust in the development of a modern and dynamic agriculture industry that would be competitive and contributing significantly to the economy,” Azini continued.

The Maha programme is a platform that also showcases new technology in agrofood industry while setting up the direction and providing platform for agropreneurs to expand in the local and international market.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry through its Young Agropreneur Unit and National Blue Ocean Strategy initiative, presented a cheque amounting to RM1.04 million to Kpg Gedong in Simunjan as grant for the implementation of the ‘My Kampung My Future’ project.

The allocation is meant for livestock farming and agriculture activities to create young entrepreneurs and develop idle land at the village. In addition, the ministry through Tekun Nasional presented a cheque of RM504,000 for Tekun entrepreneurship programme in the state.