Six Strategies To Mechanise, Automate Malaysia's Agriculture

KUCHING (Malaysia), Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry has outlined six strategies to address mechanisation and automation issues in the country's agriculture sector, Ministry Secretary-General Mohd Hashim Abdullah said Tuesday. He said strategies under the National Farm Mechanisation and Automation Plan (NFMAP) cover specific policy; strengthening research, development and commercialisation; increasing mechanised equipment ownership and usage; intensifying private sector participation; expanding the agriculture machinery manufacturing industry and distribution; and developing capacity and capability. Speaking to launch a National Conference on Agriculture and Food Mechanisation here, he said the NFMAP will include establishing regulatory aspects as well as development of specific programs and support. "Successful innovations in the field of farm mechanisation and automation must be given due recognition," he said, adding that more research and development funds will be made available to researchers in the field. Mohd Hashim said a computerised registration system will be developed to facilitate the review and auditing of agricultural machinery, while an endowment fund will be set up to enable farmers or entrepreneurs to own machinery and equipment. He said Agrobank will be asked to provide funding to enable more private sector participations and hence increase the number of service providers. The ministry will also come up with more structured mechanisation courses, to include the aspects of safety, licensing and other related matters. "The efficient use of machinery and technology can reduce the cost of producing food in this country, where labour is scarce and getting costly," he added. -- BERNAMA