THE agricultural sector is targeted to record higher growth of 2.7% per annum during the remaining plan period.
Main strategies towards achieving the target include creating new commercial business opportunities from agriculture-based activities, utilisation of technology, and promoting active participation of private sector in large-scale food and industrial crops.
The achievement of the target would also depend on external demand for major commodities, increase in food production and improved upstream food processing activities as well as new product development.
These efforts will need to be supported by greater market orientation, alongside efficiency and productivity improvements.
While industrial crops will continue to be the mainstay of agriculture, the policy for food development under NDP3 would provide better prospects for new agricultural activities and related services.
The goal is not only to concentrate on production aspects but on the integrated value chain such as market intelligence, distribution, marketing, packaging and exports.
In this respect, efforts will be channelled towards improving the requisite support and infrastructure facilities.
Drainage and irrigation facilities as well as farm roads and crossing will enable greater mechanisation and more efficient delivery of extension services, in particular to padi production.
The construction of Beris Dam in Sik, Kedah together with works on Naok, Reman and Jeniang, covering 97,000 hectares and 13,000 hectares of fields in Sungai Muda and Seberang Perai schemes respectively will provide adequate water supply as well as irrigation of lands.
Also to encourage greater investments in the sector, the distribution of agricultural credits by development financial institutions and commercial banks is expected to be more widespread, especially with the additional resources.
Did you find this article insightful?
