M'SIA-INDONESIA COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE MOVING TOWARDS NEW DIMENSION

By Ahmad Fuad Yahya

GORONTALO (SULAWESI) Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Relations between Malaysia and
Indonesia in the field of agriculture move one step further with the widening of
cooperation in new areas which can benefit both parties.

The cooperation, among other things, involves the fields of research and
development (R&D), technology and capacity building in agro-based industries,
herbal industry, and horticulture which are considered to be capable of
maintaining product quality in both countries and continue to compete both at
the regional and global levels.

In addition, both countries have agreed to widen cooperation in looking
after the welfare and well-being of fishermen who are facing problems due to
cross-border fishing in the waters of both countries.

Malaysian Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Noh Omar,
who is on a week-long working visit to Indonesia since Jan 13, is happy with the
outcome of the discussions held with the Indonesian government at the central,
provincial and district levels on cooperation and investment in agriculture.

The minister and his delegation comprising senior ministry officials and
senior officials of a government-linked company, are here to enhance cooperation
and look at investment and business opportunities in agriculture for companies
from both countries.


"I see there are potentials for business opportunities for Malaysian
companies to invest in agricultural activities in the republic.

"The fields include cattle farming, padi cultivation and fisheries and
marine industries," he said.

During the visit, Noh is accompanied by the ministry's Secretary-General
Mohd Mokhtar Ismail, Director-General of Agriculture Roseley Khalid,
Director-General of Veterinary Services Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin,
Director-General of Fisheries Junaidi Che Ayub, and Director-General of
Mardi (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute) Dr Abd
Shukor Abd Rahman.

The minister had also asked ministry officials to take follow-up action on
agricultural policies and regulations in the republic to be used as guidelines
for Malaysian investors.

His visit is a follow-up to the visit by Prime Minister Najib Tun
Abdul Razak to South Sulawesi in November last year where he had pointed out
that Malaysia was seriously studying greater cooperation in agriculture to
ensure food security and at the same time assist in raising the income of
farmers in South Sulawesi.

Gorontalo is a province in South Sulawesi, located between North and Central
Sulawesi. It is also an agricultural area with crops such as corn for animal
feed, paddy, and coconuts besides cattle farming.

-- BERNAMA