Engaging youth entrepreneurship through agriculture
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Engaging youth in agriculture has always been a prominent topic, especially through agribusiness as it opens more doors for job creation that will allow productive agricultural youth entrepreneurs to support the development of the agricultural sector, contributing to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The agriculture sector in Brunei has been under the spotlight whereby His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has emphasised in his series of titah the importance of achieving food security and selfsufficiency, and the involvement of youths in the field of agriculture and agri-food as an entrepreneurial choice.
The youths play an important role in national development in achieving a dynamic and sustainable economy as targeted in the Wawasan Brunei 2035 (Brunei Vision 2035).
The Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has always been very supportive through the provision of opportunities and agriculture-related programmes to youth to spark their interest to venture into the agriculture sector.
This is also to expose agribusinesses as profitable businesses especially in the plantation industry by using a number of systems and production technology suitable for the youth farmers’ capabilities.
Some of the initiatives also include pilot projects, contract farming and business matching being actively carried out, in order to facilitate access to this market.
Alhamdulillah, in recent years, more and more local youths are involved in agribusinesses in the areas such as agrotechnology, aquaculture, crops and vegetables and poultry.
While government agencies are actively providing infrastructure and assistance for youth, the monarch stressed that the authorities need to intensify their efforts.
There is also an increasing trend of youth starting vertical farming, for instance, hydroponics.
Hydroponics is an innovation (soilless method) which can be used to attract youths to venture into agribusiness.
This is a good start as it requires minimal cost and space, using cheap materials as they can start in their backyard.
It also solves the problem of needing land to start a farm for start-ups. As these startups gradually grow their businesses, they will be able to generate income and generate capital to start commercialising their products.
His Majesty also paid serious attention to the role of educational institutions in agriculture to also contribute to the development of agro-based industries.
His Majesty stated in a titah during an unscheduled visit to Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) on 12 October 2020 to have a new faculty on agriculture, since the sciences of agriculture, animal husbandry and the like are also part of Islamic teachings.
On 28 January 2021, Faculty of Agriculture was officially established and offered its first programme Agribusiness at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. This year, UNISSA has offered a new programme in Agrotechnology.
This is a milestone for UNISSA to build resilient and futureready youth, by enhancing their capacity to be agripreneurs and help enhance food security by using modern farming technologies which enable them to contribute to the development of the country.
Thus, it is very important for youth to be knowledgeable, entrepreneurial, and innovative in the farming sector.
Moreover, private organisations also give their support to the nation’s agriculture sector.
For instance, Shell LiveWIRE Brunei offers agropreneurship master class on how to become agripreneurs, and agrobiz scheme aims to produce skilled and trained agripreneurs who will get the opportunity to develop 10 hectares of paddy fields and the practical skills needed to be successful commercial farmers.
Citizens and residents of this country are grateful to Allah the Almighty for the blessings and sustenance bestowed upon Brunei Darussalam and for His Majesty’s leadership and guidance through the Government of His Majesty, which has always prioritised investments in the country’s socioeconomic development to ensure long-term progressiveness.
Daulat Kebawah Duli Tuan Patik!