| Danial Norjidi |
EARLY education pertaining to agriculture is needed, said Manager of Marsya Farm Haji Awang Muliadi bin Haji Moksin.
Sharing his view as an agropreneur, he touched on agriculture’s lack of popularity among youth in the country.
Among the points he highlighted to address this was the need for early education pertaining to agriculture, noting successful examples from the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.
He said that early education can help cultivate interest in agriculture, and suggested that good experiences from neighbouring countries can be taken, as well as for collaboration between agencies.
Haji Awang Muliadi made these comments at a seminar focussed on youth involvement in the agriculture sector held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas as part of the Knowledge Convention 2018.
The seminar, entitled ‘Involvement of the Community especially Youth in the Agriculture Sector’, was moderated by Director of the Research and Publication Centre, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) Associate Professor Dr Hajah Rose binti Abdullah.
The seminar featured presentations by four speakers, beginning with Acting Director of Youth Development and Sports at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Hajah Zainab binti Haji Morshidi.
In her presentation, she focussed on challenges and solutions to increasing the involvement of youth in sustainable agriculture and agrifood activities. She spoke on reviewing the ecosystem from time to time, the use of an integrated and inclusive Young Farmer Development Programme, a whole of nation approach involving government, private sector, NGOs and parents, as well as youth moving forward in facing challenges.
Founder and CEO of Agrome IQ Dr Vanessa Teo delivered a presentation entitled ‘Platform for educating the younger generation to become modern farmers’. She shared that Agrome IQ is an agriculture training and solutions company launched in 2016.
She noted that challenges in the agriculture sector include a lack of young farmers, markets and a lack of using technology and data analytics in making farming decisions. Speaking on solutions, she said that Agrome IQ developed technology that can help farmers with farm management, and shared that the company has taught schools with its farm-to-school programme, having so far taught more than 800 students to learn farming processes in an easier way.
The fourth and final presentation at the seminar was delivered by Farm Manager of Ameenfarm Agrotech and Trading Haji Irwandy bin Haji Lois on rejuvenating the agriculture industry through youth involvement. In his presentation, he affirmed the need to provide youth with inspiration and aspiration through: exposure to the agriculture industry at a grassroots level; a specialised programme and mentorship; increased attraction factors such as sustainable sales markets; and encouraging schemes and assistance in an exciting industry.
Yesterday’s seminar was held as part of a series of parallel sessions organised from November 27-29, with the seminars focussing on a range of topics related to agriculture.
