AN agriculture research and development centre will be established in Johor to amp up the state’s food security.
State agriculture, agro-based industry and rural committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on April 18 to set up the Johor Agriculture Research and Development Centre (J-ARDC) soon.
“The centre’s role will be to coordinate research and development efforts as well as promote innovation of the agricultural sector in Johor.
“This will strengthen our food security and boost sustainable economic growth through collaboration with various stakeholders and the application of advanced technology,” he said in a statement.
As a starting point, five agricultural companies, which had earlier invested in the Bio Desaru Food Valley, have been selected as centres of excellence, he added.
Zahari explained that the companies would act as a reference point for industry players interested to get advice and information related to technology usage and research relating to agriculture.
He said the J-ARDC came about after Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi led the Johor delegation for a meeting with Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup in February.
“During the meeting, the centre was mooted as an effort to strengthen Johor’s agriculture sector while giving focus to research and development.
“After a series of discussions and planning with the ministry, the MOU was signed, where Johor Biotechnology and Biodiversity Corporation was given the mandate to spearhead the development of J-ARDC.”
Zahari noted that the state government would be working with strategic partners such as Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Institut Sultan Iskandar to develop an agricultural research action plan to support J-ARDC.
