SEPTEMBER 2023
Sarawak Has A Potential To Make A Significant Contribution To Global Food Demand
KUCHING, 25 Sep - Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Open has emphasized Sarawak's potential to make a significant contribution to global food demand, particularly given that half of the world's seven billion population resides in the Asian and ASEAN regions.
During his address at the 1st International Conference on Biotechnology, Smart Farming, and Entrepreneurship for Food Security (BioSFE) 2023 held at Riverside Majestic Hotel, Premier Abang Johari highlighted the need for a comprehensive transformation of the agriculture sector.
While advocating the preservation of these practices, Premier Abang Johari stressed the importance of transitioning to a modern, technology-based approach, drawing parallels to the evolution of communication devices.
"In the past, you used a dialing phone, but today you use a smartphone. We need to change the mindset of farmers to a more corporate one," he added.
He also said that Sarawak is blessed with geographical stability, vast land resources, and a population of 2.8 billion, is strategically positioned to harness its comparative advantages and strengths in the development of the food industry.
This prospective change signifies Sarawak's commitment to shift away from traditional farming practices rooted in subsistence concepts, traditional shifting farming practices, and harvest culture that have prevailed for the past six decades.
"We are still discussing and determining the right time to change the department's name," Premier Abang Johari stated, referring to the Sarawak government's consideration of renaming the Department of Agriculture to the 'Department of Food Industry.'
Premier Abang Johari underscored the need to shift away from the perception of poor farmers struggling with hardship and elevate their status to farm managers.This transition is vital as agriculture has evolved from mere food cultivation to encompassing a comprehensive supply chain from farm to market, including exports.
"We have to look inward at our strengths, and this sector must be developed to contribute not only to our friends in this region but also to Europe and the United States. Capturing half of the Asian market would be enough for us," he remarked.
With the ambitious goal of becoming a net food exporter by 2030, Premier Abang Johari urged stakeholders to adopt technology, rejuvenate nutrient-depleted soils, optimize land usage, and establish a circular economy by converting waste into fertilizers and animal feeds.
"This is where we need experts to advise us on what to do, provide guidance on factors of production that we have an advantage in, and adopt AI (artificial intelligence) to determine the standard of our soils and input industry standards," Premier Abang Johari said.
He emphasized that technologists would play a crucial role in propelling Sarawak's food sector into the future. The Premier's vision is one of a progressive, technologically advanced, and thriving food industry capable of meeting both local and global demands. -Sarawakku
Sumber dari : Sarawakku