Malaysia: Prime Minister says Focus On Agriculture Not A Step Backward
The government's greater emphasis on the agriculture sector is not a step backward for the country, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday.
Instead, it would help spur the country's economic growth and the socio-economic status of Malays involved in it, he said when launching the Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority's "Baloh" programme in Ladang Merdeka in Jelor, here.
The programme is aimed at turning Kelantan into a regional halal food hub. Abdullah said he had often been asked why he gave more attention to agriculture.
"Let me explain. This sector has the highest poverty rate and many of those involved in it are Bumiputeras. That is why the sector must be developed in earnest," he said.
Despite the greater focus, the Prime Minister said the government would not in any way neglect other sectors like the manufacturing industries and information technology because they were not less important but were far ahead than agriculture.
"The land in our country is fertile and water is abundant. Why not we fully use these resources to develop agriculture?"
He said the emphasis was also because the government wanted to see more farmers becoming successful entrepreneurs not only in agriculture per se but by also venturing into value-added activities.
For example, he said, when the prices of durians fell, value could be added by processing them into "tempoyak" (fermented durian) or "lempuk" (sweetmeat)
Abdullah also said the government would go all out to assist farmers in obtaining financing from Bank Pertanian and the SME Bank to carry out their ventures.
"What's important is that the product must be good, cleanliness a priority and branding also taken into account so that it can sell well," he added.
Also present at the event were Kelantan Menteri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Shariff Omar and Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Musa.
Source: BERNAMA State News