THE Agricultural and Agro-based Ministry is looking to enhance Universiti Putra Malaysia to specialise in agriculture to modernise and drive the sector forward.

The effort, which could cost the government more than RM2 billion, would make it more worthwhile for Malaysians to venture into agriculture, said its minister Salahuddin Ayub.

He said universities specialising in farming were the drivers of growth in countries with a thriving agricultural sector, such as Taiwan, Japan and Holland. 

“The universities provide the research and development to modernise the sector and ensure quality.

“We need to have a niche university. We should enhance Universiti Putra Malaysia for it to come back as an agriculture university.

“If we don’t, we may not be able to produce skilled modern farmers,” he said, in Penang, yesterday, evening after receiving a Datukship from the state governor.

Salahuddin said the idea was to emulate countries like Japan, Korea and European nations that could produce quality crops despite not having enough land.

“Their farmers can still do well. We also want our farmers to earn a better income. People should be able to make a good living in the sector. 

“It will require a concerted effort, new technologies and innovations,” he said.

The agricultural sector, Salahuddin said, had much potential for growth and huge markets like China to be tapped into.

The minister said he would be part of the delegation accompanying Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to China next month.

He said Malaysia would be promoting its durians, bird’s nest, vegetables and ornamental fish to the Chinese.

“We will discuss with China to sort out protocols that have been preventing Malaysia from penetrating the Chinese market in large volumes.”

Among the issues to addressed is fresh durian export to China, which currently imports only the frozen variety from Malaysia. It is a policy that the government has long been hoping to convince Chinese agencies to change. – July 28, 2018.