October 30, 2003

 

 

Malaysia To Intensify Efforts To Make Agriculture A Key Economic Sector
 

Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced today Malaysia will step up efforts to make agriculture a key sector in its economy as the sector grew by 1.5% during the review period of the Eighth Malaysia Plan (8MP), due to increased output of palm oil and food commodities.

 

The Prime Minister said agricultural export earnings rose by 26% per annum from RM23 billion in 2000 to RM29 billion in 2003 supported by the higher prices of primary and food commodities.

 

He said the improvement in the export of food commodities was a result of increasing investments in large scale food production and improvements in quality undertaken in the context of the Ministry of Agriculture Incorporated approach.

 

"In the next two years, the agriculture sector is expected to grow at a higher rate of 2.7% per annum. The growth of this sector will be derived from the increased output of industrial crops, food production and the contribution from new activities," Dr Mahathir said when tabling the motion on the Mid-Term Review of the 8MP in the Dewan Rakyat.

 

Although Malaysia has yet to reverse its position as a net food importer, it has achieved self-sufficiency in poultry and eggs and near sufficiency in fisheries.

 

He said the Government has identified fish farming or aquaculture as having great growth potential.

 

"The Government will intensify efforts to develop new infrastructure, improvement in skills and technologies to promote modern aquaculture. This involves the breeding of a variety of marketable and highly demanded fish and crustaceans," he said.

 

For this purpose, Dr Mahathir said the Government will accelerate the implementation of the National Seedling Programme and Action Plan for Hatchery Development.

 

He said the Government will provide support services to encourage investments in the tuna industry by establishing four Tuna regional Development Centres in Johor, Penang, Sabah and Labuan.

 

The Prime Minister said the Government would also intensify efforts to develop the potentials of biomass and biotechnology products for domestic and export markets.

 

In addition, the National Botanical Garden project will be developed as a showcase for new investment opportunities in the agriculture sector, apart from being a recreational and tourist site.