Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day to showcase innovation in food production
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians may have taken for granted their food sources. People only see what is served on their plates, and are hardly bothered to know of the activities and the people involved in getting the food to the table.
Food comes from mankind's activities, hence the upcoming Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK 2017) celebration from 28 Sept to 1 Oct 2017 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) provides the perfect conduit to appreciate the contribution of the people in the agricultural sector and learn of their invaluable contribution.
Apart from the farmers, breeders and fishermen, the 42nd edition of the celebration organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries will witness comprehensive participation from all parties related to the food industry – restaurateurs, food manufacturers, and even food related biotechnology firms.
The event also showcases innovation in food production – in the field and in the factories.
With the theme “Our Food, Our Future” (Makanan Kita, Masa Depan Kita), the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Datuk Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek highlighted that this year's event would include Malaysia Food Festival 2017 (MFF 2017). The event will take visitors on a gastronomic journey right from cooking, food technology and food presentation.
“The inaugural MFF 2017 will showcase the preparation of numerous cuisine including the expensive cuisine based on river fishes, kampung food, communal seafood dinning and Western food. This new programme will put Malaysia in the world's gastronomy map,” added Shabery.
There are numerous events awaiting visitors, right from the sales of fresh agricultural produce, thematic exhibitions, and cooking and manufacturing demonstrations. There is also the Agrotrip component that promotes tour to the agro tourism centres in the country.
The Food Empire Component will dish out 400 dishes from all over the country through 600 stalls and food trucks. Fresh agricultural produce from the farms will also be on sale including fruits and flowers in the Agrobazaar section. Seafood lovers should not miss the traditional seafood cooking demonstration from the different states.
Visitors can also see the innovation in processing seafood into sushi, kuro prawn, churros lekor, tuna satay and snow fish delight at the Malaysia Seafood and Fishery Product segment.
To keep the accompanying children occupied, there will be a petting zoo at the Livestock Malaysia component. Apart from petting the animals, they could learn on how to care for the animals.
As for those keen on technology, they could witness the technological innovations in agriculture at the Agrofood Mechanisation segment. Here, new agricultural machines including agricultural drones will be showcased for demonstration and sales.
As for those living faraway or could not make it to the venue, they could could still make online purchases through the Agrobazaar. com portal. As it is the venue where the agricultural entrepreneurs throughout the country congregate, it is the best place to hold business matching sessions as well.
And that's not all. The event also serves as a one stop centre for the public to solicit the services of government agencies like the Road Transport Department or undergo free medical checkup and etc.
The Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) celebration also has a message to the younger generation – the agricultural industry holds huge potential and promises employment opportunities for the youths.
Dr Hamid Sulaiman, the Deputy Senior General Manager for the National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS) , noted that the celebration would also serve as an Agro Youth Camp. NAFAS is the strategic partner for HPPNK 2017.
“About 500 youths will be camping at MAEPS throughout the three days as volunteers and they will also attend talks and a relaxing programme with Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister,” said Hamid adding that youths could also head to the Agro Job Fair at the venue where there would be more than 2,000 employment opportunities awaiting.