AGRI SECTOR NEEDS A MASSIVE TRANSFORMATION, SAYS PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- The agriculture sector needs to undergo a
massive transformation as it is the third engine of growth in the country, said
Prime Minister Najib Razak.

"The sector is an important source of income for people in rural areas and
for the growth of the nation's economy. As such, a massive transformation is
needed for the sector beginning from the planting level right up to marketing.

"With the support of farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen and the
commitment given by the government to the sector, it is not impossible to
transform the sector to be a big success story," he said in his speech in
conjunction with the 36th annual meeting of the National Farmers Association
(Nafas) here Monday.

The text of his speech was read out by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
Minister Noh Omar.

Najib said he was confident that with the implementation of the New Food
Policy by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, the nation should be
able to show a food surplus by 2020.

He added that because of the importance of the sector, the government
allocated RM6 billion for it in the 2010 budget.
-- BERNAMA