Tech-driving growth in Sarawak’s agriculture
Agriculture remains a key frontier industry for Sarawak, as examplified by two major events — the Sarawak Agrofest 2018 and International Conference on Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Sarawak 2018 (ICAAS 2018), which are related to the development of agriculture in the state -- being held last month.
The Sarawak Agrofest 2018 wase held from Oct 20 to 28, while the ICAAS 2018 was held from Oct 23 and 24 at Penview Convention Centre (PCC) in Demak.
“While the Sarawak Agrofest aims to actively promote agriculture agro-based industry in the state, the ICAAS 2018 will be a fitting platform to share knowledge and experience on new approaches and mechanisms that have been proven to be successful in other parts of Malaysia and other countries, which can be adopted in the state,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development of Sarawak.
A key theme for both events was smart farming, which involves the integration of advanced technologies into farming practices in order to increase production efficiency and the quality of produce.
According to Uggah, the state government strongly believes that industry players must be willing to open their minds, shift their paradigm to adopt and adapt to new, modern and more effective processes and practces.
“The government is committed to equip our players with the latest technology and creating new competitive edges to ensure Sarawak can become the preferred destination for investors and venture capitalists.
“Towards this, ICAAS 2018 emphasises on presenting and deliberating on the field of knowledge areas in modern technology related to agriculture in line with the rapid changes that is happening around the world today,” he said in his welcoming remarks of the ICAAS 2018 opening.
Smart farming involves the integration of advanced technologies into farming practices in order to increase production efficiency and the quality of produce. Every aspect of farming can benefit from technological advancements.
Therefore, the Deputy Chief Minister said it was timely for players to embrace digital technology in order to reap the benefits of modern technology.
Generating more sales
The inaugural Sarawak Agrofest succeeded in generating more than RM1 million worth of sales, having attracted more than 20,000 visitors when it was held from Oct 20 to 28.
Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said that while the total sales volume was officially recorded at RM939,554.25, the amount could be more than RM1 million if ‘outside-the-counter’ deals are also included.
“This does not include sales made outside the counter. There are other deals being made with other entrepreneurs through other arrangements.
“I believe the sales itself will be more than RM1 million. That is good business, isn’t it only for one week (duration of the Agrofest),” he said at the Sarawak Agrofest 2018 appreciation dinner in representing Deputy Chief Minister Uggah.
According to Sagah, the average sales per participant based on the total sales volume was RM8,388.88. There were 71 participants for the agro sales and 41 for the agro kitchen.
Sagah also urged the staff and officers of the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development to take up the challenge to ensure Agrofest 2019 next year is a bigger success with more sales and more participants.
He said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg agreed to make Agrofest an annual event, and to organise it in other regions in Sarawak.
“While Agrofest 2018 has proven to be success, there is room for improvement. we need to bring together key players throughout the state to exhibit and educate our farmers.
“Only through working together we can make uplift Sarawak agriculture industry and achieve the government’s mission to be a net food exporter by the year 2030,” he said. Sarawak allocates RM50 million for agriculture development
In its aim to further develop the agriculture sector, the Sarawak government had said it would allocate RM50 million to implement its agriculture development plans in efforts to become a net exporter of food products by 2030.
Uggah said this was necessary to enable Sarawak to compete with countries in this region, as well as to ensure that the quality of food products is of international market requirements.
“At the moment, we are a net importer of food products by RM3.6 million each year and we want to reverse that and the way to reverse that is by using advanced technologies because we need to increase our productivity,” said Uggah to reporters after officiating the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Science (ISSAAS) Congress 2018.
“We hope that by using the latest technologies, we will increase our productivity, make ourselves more competitive and enable us to reach the target we have set,” he added.