Modernising Malaysia’s agriculture sector

(From left) Prof Syed Jalaludin, ATAS president Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Augustine SH Ong, Dr Roda and Galharague at the MOU signing ceremony.

NEWLY minted national non-governmental organisation The Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences Association (ATAS) is set to spearhead tropical agricultural research and develop state-of-the-art innovative practices for food production.

In conjunction with its launch, ATAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cooperation of International Research and Agriculture Development (CIRAD) — a French agriculture research and cooperation organisation working for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions — to modernise Malaysia’s agriculture sector in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan which focuses on smart farming.