THE Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry has been given the challenging task of being this year’s biggest contributor to Pakatan Harapan’s national development agenda – Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.

Its minister Salahuddin Ayub said this was was conveyed to him by the SPV2030 chief architect, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

SPV2030 aims to raise the income of all Malaysians and reduce inequality between the classes, ethnic groups and regions by the year 2030.

Salahuddin said the agricultural sector was to be tapped as a new source of growth and jobs, particularly in food production for domestic consumption and export.

“In a closed-door briefing with me, the prime minister said SPV2030 would not be realised unless the agriculture ministry gives the biggest contribution to its aims,” Salahuddin told ministry officials at a gathering in Putrajaya today.  

“This is why I do not want unnecessary bureaucracy to stymie these plans and why I say I will take action against officials who are guilty of neglecting their responsibilities.”

Senior government advisers had previously pointed to the sector’s potential for growth and for boosting the nation’s food security.

Increasing local sources of fresh food would also reduce the country’s reliance on imports, which exceeded RM52 billion in 2018, and lower market prices for consumers.

To meet these goals, the ministry and its agencies are designing ways to market jobs in agriculture to fresh graduates, and drafting new policies to spur new business opportunities.

“We are currently drafting new regulations for deep sea fishing. We already have proposals from local and foreign parties who want to tap into this sub-sector.”

Another potential cottage industry is the conversion of small durian orchards into home stays where guests can stay and savour fresh fruits during the harvest season, he said.

“This is a way in which we can help villagers increase their income from their land and orchards as foreign visitors want to have that experience of hearing durians fall from the trees. They don’t want to just stay in five-star hotels.”  

The ministry will also streamline policies to make established industries, such as rice growing, more efficient, said Salahuddin.

“Being the biggest contributor for SPV2030 is a big responsibility for us and I take it very seriously. Which is why I will not stand for unnecessary bureaucracy and a poor delivery system.” – January 6, 2020.