Ministry eyes 30 pct youth membership in farmers’ organisations
KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry targets youths’ membership in farmers’ associations to rise to 30 per cent by 2020 from the 15 per cent currently.
“We want young blood and a new mentality as Malaysia’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) widens opportunities for global entrepreneurs and exports,” Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said.
He was speaking to reporters after launching the Farmers’ Organisation Authority’s (FOA) campaign to promote youths’ participation in farmers’ organisations
We want young blood and a new mentality as Malaysia’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) widens opportunities for global entrepreneurs and export.
Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Minister
here yesterday.
Farmers’ organisations were set up 43 years ago, but of their some 800,000 members, only 15 per cent are aged 40 and below while 45 per cent may be 60 and over, said Tajudddin.
“This scenario is worrying, and I support FOAs’ efforts to promote youths’ participation in farmers’ associations and the food produc- tion sector,” he said, adding youths could also be involved in related ares like marketing and transportation.
In his opening speech earlier, Tajuddin said the ministry is providing a 30 per cent in-kind contribution, including for equipment, agricultural inputs and raw materials, under its Young Agropreneur programme. — Bernama