Modernization of agriculture, a lucrative industry

The import volume of food was RM600 million in 90s. It has come up to RM2.8 billion now. To reduce dependency on food import, the agricultural sector must be modernized with the primary objective to become self sufficient in food production.  Obviously, the modernization of Agriculture must focus on food production and processing in order to reduce import and out flow of capital.

Farmers, growers, breeders and fishermen day in Bintulu on March 12, 2011

With a population of 26 million for the country, 2.6 million in Sarawak alone the food market is getting bigger to make the modernization of agriculture, a lucrative industry. Its potentials are yet to be fully tapped by members of the farming community. In other words, the opportunity is big and waiting to be tapped by members of the community.

Besides, the export volume of agricultural products has also increased from RM1.1 billion to RM6 billion during the last 10 years.  Obviously, there is no limit within the context of the Agricultural sector for members of the farming community to produce and sell their products to market both locally and abroad. However, they must be prepared to work hard and use all the modern techniques of farming to increase output and raise the level of their income. 

Jamnapri Goat

Generally, opportunities for members of the farming community in the middle age group can be considered to be quite wide while those for the new generation have no limit; they are no longer confined to farming and gardening only. Besides, more and more women pursue meaningful employment that they will spend less and less time to prepare food for themselves and their families. 

Hence, it can be anticipated that more and more people will buy cooked or prepared food in future. For example, before women used to make their own cakes but now they buy them; it is easier to buy rather than to make them. As a consequence, a person who has been making and selling cake like the traditional Kuih Lapis can become a millionaire. 

For this reason, members of the farming community must endeavor to see a bigger picture in their profession as a way to motivate themselves to improve their livelihood.   Obviously, they have more opportunities to improve themselves provided they are prepared to work hard for the purpose. In other words, the quality of life must be made as incentive for the people to work hard to improve their standard of living.  

Participants of Oyster Mushroom course in Petrajaya

Generally, farmers, gardeners, breeders and fishermen now know that their fates are in their own hands and they can improve them. Though efforts to improve their livelihood have been quite successful, they must be intensified as about 30% of the people still depend on Agriculture. In America, only 2% of the total population depends on the sector. 

However, it is encouraging to see a decline in the number of people still involving in traditional agriculture; the number of those involved in shifting cultivation is negligible. In other words, there is a growing shift towards modern agriculture from the traditional one.  There are now about 160,000 people in estates as compared to 180,000 in the sector of smallholders.  The figures will change as more and more people shift to work in the development of estate or plantation. 

Besides, there will be continuous improvements in the management and marketing of the products with greater applications of inputs from research. Generally, efforts to modernize agriculture with greater application of research findings, better system of management and marketing should be able to improve the livelihood of the people, who are involved in it. 

Cottage industry 

Sarawak Black pepper

The people can start the cottage industry with the processing of food, which must have consistency of taste and quality in packaging. Actually, proper packaging of products can help to make them attractive to customers while consistency in taste can make them the products of choice in the market. 

The volume of sale can increase manifolds if the products can be sold in Semenanjung Malaysia.  For example, Kuih Lapis has not been able to meet the demand of market there. It has yet to land in Singapore market and those of other countries in Asian region. Obviously, members of the farming community will have a lot of advantages by adopting a more efficient way to process their products in order to fetch good prices in the word market. 

The issue in the agricultural sector is no longer confined to the ownership of land any more. This has become a petty issue in the overall struggle of farmers, growers, breeders and fishermen to raise their standard of living. The major consideration must necessarily be how to increase their numbers to practice better ways of food processing for bigger market. 

Laksa Sarawak paste

Understandably, the State Government would like to put more emphasis being made by Agriculture department through the extension workers to encourage greater understanding of processing, packaging and improvement in the branding of the cottage industry. Generally, farmers will have more potential in exporting their products by having consistency in taste and quality in packaging. 

Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud says the State will be pursuing a bigger transformation relating to food processing and culture of fish using bio-tech processes in the development of SCORE. It is actively experimenting on how to rear chickens without injecting them with anti-biotic to prevent the spread of diseases. Instead, the chickens can be fed with food containing enzyme, which is now undergoing continuous research with a view to upgrade the quality and diversify the product. The chicken will be free of chemical and cleaner and healthier for consumption. 

Bubur Pedas products

He says very soon Sarawak will have the capability to produce organic food for export any where in the world market. Once the local people can raise their level of income from the middle to high income, they may also prefer to eat organic food. This will be trend to change the way of life to become more comfortable, healthier and more hygienic.

An area with a total acreage of 77,000 hectare is being allocated for organic farming in Tanjung Manis. A total 40,000 of hectares have already been allocated to a number of companies to set up factories that will be able to create a lot of employment opportunities for the people, initially for the people in surrounding areas. 

Later, the opportunities will also spread to the people in Paloh, Tanjung Sirik, Sarikei, Selalang, Kabong and Roban. They will also have opportunities to take part in the development of the new economy in Tanjung Manis.  Some of them all the way from  Tunoh in the North may also be involved in food  processing using  bio-technology.

Sarikei Pineapple

Pehin Sri Abdul Taib says SCORE is studying ways how to export products that can be guaranteed of high quality from the aspects of hygiene, cleanliness and health from Tanjung Manis to the world Market. It has become the responsibility of Muslims and Halal hub to ensure that the food will become premium food in the global market.  

He says the value of Halal food market, according to a world survey, was US600 billion in 2009. It is expected to reach US1 trillion in the next five years. Obviously, the Halal food industry is a huge industry that can bring about tremendous changes in the way the State is developing the Halal hub in SCORE.

benuasains

 *Photos Source: 

http://www.peladang.sarawak.gov.my/

http://www.doa.sarawak.gov.my

http://cendawanpj.blogspot.com/

http://www.bernas.com.my/

http://kedaiummie.blogspot.com

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