March 5, 2024

Malaysia to bolster food security by strengthening education and training programme in agriculture sector

Malaysia aims to strengthen its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programme in the country's agriculture sector by increasing the number of graduates to ensure domestic food security.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that there are currently only an estimated 600 graduates in the sector each year. He emphasised that the ministry aims to not only attract more students to pursue agricultural studies, but to also encourage graduates from diverse disciplines to actively contribute to the sector.

"We are not operating in silos. We have discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the National TVET Council Committee chairman, on measures to encourage participation and produce more graduates in this field," Mohamad told reporters after the opening of Ekspo Pakar Pertanian at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) on March 2. "However, we recognise that many young people are now more interested in the gig economy, because the income is faster. But this is part of efforts to sustain the agriculture and food industry in Malaysia."

Elaborating on the ministry's focus this year, Mohamad highlighted that the four industrial developments to be prioritised are rice and paddy, chicken, duck, and eggs, red onion and pineapple.

He noted that Malaysia will collaborate with Iran on research and the exchange of Arian chicken breeding technology, which holds promising potential to address market demand.

- Bernama