Kuala Lumpur: Young people must be encouraged to venture into agropreneurship to ensure the continuity of the nation’s food supply, said Senator Roderick Wong Siew Lead.
He emphasised that Malaysia still relies on food imports for up to 60% of its daily needs, posing risks to food security and public health if local production is not enhanced.
“Many young people today are seeking opportunities in modern sectors, but with the presence of modern technologies such as precision farming, hydroponics, fertigation, and the use of drones, agriculture can no longer be seen solely as a traditional occupation.
“Youths should be wise in seizing these opportunities and can turn this field into a lucrative career,” he said during the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) in the Dewan Negara recently.
He noted that reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security also show that modern agropreneurs have the potential to earn between RM5,000 and RM10,000 per month with proper guidance.
“In the context of RMK-13, the government’s efforts to assist farmers in transitioning to innovative farming technologies are crucial to increasing harvest yields. For example, the use of fertigation systems can double tomato yields compared to conventional methods.
“In fact, such applications can also reduce the risk of crop diseases that may compromise food quality,” said Roderick Wong, who is also the Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak Assistant Organising Secretary.
He also stressed the importance of cooperation between the Sarawak State Government and the Federal Government in expanding export markets, particularly for products such as pineapple, pepper, bananas, and tropical fruits, which hold strong potential in international markets.
“With wider exports, not only will farmers’ incomes rise, but we can also ensure that local farms are better regulated in terms of hygiene and food safety standards in accordance with international benchmarks.
“However, the issue of counterfeit fertilisers in the market is a major concern, as reports from the Consumer Association have found that over 30% of farmers’ complaints are related to this matter. Fake fertilisers not only reduce crop yields, but also risk contaminating soil and water sources, as well as compromising food quality, which can endanger public health,” he said.
He added that RMK-13 should establish stricter enforcement measures, including regular laboratory testing, integrated operations between the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and the Department of Agriculture, as well as heavier penalties for counterfeit fertiliser distributors.
“Food security is part of public health. If farmers fail to produce quality food due to fake fertilisers or outdated methods, the people will have to depend on imported food, which is costly and not necessarily safe.
“Therefore, the Food Security & Healthy Nation policy must be strengthened to ensure that the people have access to fresh, quality, and locally produced food,” he said.
