MELAKA: A comprehensive study will be conducted to identify all abandoned land in Melaka including idle padi fields, which can be developed as high-tech agricultural areas, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic).
The Chief Minister said the study would be implemented by the state Agriculture Department as the state faces limited availability of agricultural land in the future.
He said the proposed development of agricultural areas on abandoned land includes private land or land owned by the government and agencies.
“It is important to make agriculture a sustainable, resilient and high-tech sector to drive the economy and improve the well-being of the people, as well as prioritise food security and nutrition, in line with the National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030,” he said after opening the Melaka AgroFest 2023 at Dataran Sejarah, Ayer Keroh here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Based on the “National Food Resource Area Land Use Planning Study” by the Town and Country Planning Department, about 11,398ha of food production areas in the state were recorded in 2021, including fisheries, agriculture, animal husbandry and others.
“I was informed that at least 21,757ha or 13% of the food production areas need to be guaranteed to ensure that food security can be achieved holistically and comprehensively in the state and further support food production throughout the country by 2040.
“The state government calls on all farmers to take positive steps so that the production of farming, animal husbandry and fishery products can be increased and strengthened from time to time.
“Besides this, the use of modern agriculture technology applications is also highly encouraged in line with the government’s policy towards the Industrial Revolution 4.0 for the agricultural sector in an effort to increase productivity and reduce production costs in the long term,” Ab Rauf said.
