More schemes for farmers, fishermen

Agrobank will spearhead the initiative to formulate an insurance scheme to better protect farmers and fishermen against losses, especially those caused by natural disasters.

Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said crop insurance was common in China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, but not in Malaysia.

“While Agrobank is responsible for leading the initiative, we will not stop insurance companies from offering a similar policy to farmers. This is among the efforts that we are looking to implement this year,” he said.

To encourage more youth to be involved in agriculture, the Agro-Yes (Agro-Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme) is expected to be launched on March 18, which offers loans of up to RM200,000 with only two per cent interest per year and a flexible repayment period.

The scheme also hopes to help recipients in increase productivity, making the agro-food sector a high-income career.

Other initiatives in the pipeline were the National Agro-food Policy 2021-2030, which is expected to be launched in April.

The policy, prepared in line with the Shared Prosperity Vision to achieve modernised agriculture and the Sustainable Development Goals’ Zero Hunger target, was aimed at improving Malaysia’s Self-sufficiency Level (SSL), increasing agro-producers’ earnings, strengthening food security and increasing the sector’s contribution to the country’s revenue.

Meanwhile, the National Food Security Policy, which is expected to be launched in May, would be used as the main reference and guideline for government staff and stakeholders in improving the country’s standing in the Global Food Security Index.

In expanding the country’s potential in fisheries, the Tuna Industry Development Strategic Plan 20212031 will be launched in April, which would be a continuation of the first two plans introduced in 2002 and 2012, said Ronald.

The ministry is targeting 150,000 metric tonnes overall tuna catch (120,000 metric tonnes for neritic tuna and 30,000 metric tonnes for oceanic tuna) under the new plan, as well as increasing the number of deep sea fishing vessels operating in Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone and in the open sea.

He said short-, medium- and long-term efforts to improve the fisheries sector would be addressed in the National Fisheries Development Plan 20212030 to be launched in June.

The plan will take into consideration the sustainability of existing resources and accessibility and affordability of nutritious food for the people, he said.