PETALING JAYA: Interest in commercial agriculture is growing among the youth, with many now venturing into the sector to generate a decent income, says the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry.
Its capacity development and agricultural training division director, Hussin Mahmud, said from 2016 until June this year, 8,138 Malaysians aged between 18 and 40 were involved in the Young Agropreneur Programme, where funds totalling RM166,270,301 were disbursed.
He said that as agriculture shifts to high technology, the sector would benefit from the participation of the tech-savvy younger generation.
“They can use technical knowledge and modern technology to increase agricultural production, in line with the country’s growing food needs.
“The participation of young people can increase productivity and product quality.
“This also reduces the level of dependence on food imports and helps to meet domestic demand.
“Having high agricultural production can also help maintain reasonable prices in the market and help people to buy nutritious, locally-produced food,” he said.
Hussin added that their participation would also help to attract and provide competitive job opportunities, where agriculture is no longer seen as generating only 3D (dirty, difficult and dangerous) jobs.
Prof Datuk Dr Mad Nasir Shamsudin of Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Agriculture Faculty agreed, saying that to attract and retain youth participation in agriculture, changing the 3D narrative is important and it starts with exposing children to farming and gardening from a young age.
He said a new generation of farmers must be brought into the agriculture sector as the current majority are ageing farmers.
“A study by the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board indicates that more than 40% of the farmers are between 50 and 60.
“A study in padi production shows that the majority of farmers are above 65,” he noted.
It would, however, take an ecosystem of policy, technology and entrepreneurship to give young people the support to stay in the agriculture sector, he added.
Prof Mad Nasir said more funds should also be given to investment, research and the adoption of agricultural technology.
