PERAK government is encouraging retired civil servants to venture into modern agriculture and the agrofood industry by leveraging their experience and expertise to help strengthen the state’s economy and food security agenda.
State rural development, plantation, agriculture and food industry committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun said retirees possessed extensive experience in administration, finance, project management, and engineering, which could be harnessed to drive the sector’s development.
He said the agriculture sector was no longer viewed as a traditional occupation, but had evolved into a high-technology industry offering strong economic returns.
“Today’s agriculture uses mechanisation, automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), drones and data analytics, so retirees are also encouraged to explore these fields.
“When retirees’ experience is combined with modern technology, it can produce more successful agrofood entrepreneurs and contribute to the state’s economic growth,” he said when opening the national-level 2026 Retirees’ Day celebration organised by the Malaysian Government Retirees Association (Kupekmas) at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan in Ipoh.
Also present were Kupekmas president Datuk Omar Osman and Perak Kupekmas chairman Hassan Saadan.
Mohd Zolkafly said Perak government − through relevant departments and agencies − was ready to assist retirees interested in venturing into agriculture, through training programmes, technology transfer, technical advisory services, entrepreneurship development and marketing networks.
“The effort is in line with the aspirations of the Perak Sejahtera 2030 Plan, which emphasises human capital empowerment, increased quality investments and strengthening food security.
“We also urge government- linked companies (GLCs), financial institutions, the private sector and non-governmental organisations to deepen cooperation in providing more economic opportunities and social safety nets to improve the well-being of retirees,” he said, Bernama reported.
Mohd Zolkafly also expressed appreciation on behalf of the state government to Perak Kupekmas for its continuous efforts in bringing together and looking after the welfare of retirees, as well as ensuring their contributions to national development continued to be valued.
He presented a RM10,000 state government allocation to Kupekmas in support of the organisation’s activities and welfare programmes.
