Four organisations form partnerships to revitalise Sabah's agricultural sector

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong planting a tree as a launching gesture of the Future Workforce in Sustainable Agriculture Forum at Universiti Malaysia Sabah Sandakan campus on Friday (Sept 6).

KOTA KINABALU: The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA), through its agency, the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), hands over letters of intent to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), the Sabah Agriculture Department (SAD), and the East Malaysia Planters' Association (EMPA) to form a partnership.

Its Minister, Steven Sim Chee Keong, said the collaboration would develop the workforce and growth of Sabah’s agricultural industry.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong delivering his speech at the Future Workforce in Sustainable Agriculture Forum at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sandakan campus on Friday (Sept 6).

Sim was speaking at the Forum on Future Workforce in Sustainable Agriculture at UMS Sandakan campus on Friday (Sept 6).

“UMS will become a central hub for agricultural skills training, supported by its advanced laboratories and experienced local trainers, through the Industrial Training Scheme (ITS) and Future Workers Training (FWT) scheme,” Sim said.

He said SAD and EMPA would include upskilling and training in the state's agricultural development strategy.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong (fourth left) witnessing the presentation of Letter of Intent to one of the recipients at the Future Workforce in Sustainable Agriculture Forum at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sandakan campus on Friday (Sept 6).

"By strengthening workforce capabilities, Sabah's agricultural sector will be better equipped to adapt to both the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly dynamic industry," said Sim.

HRD Corp deputy chairman Ahsim Jamat, chief executive Datuk Wira Shahul Dawood and UMS registrar Luqman Ridha Anwar were also present at the event.