by NURUL SUHAIDI / pic by TMR FILE
THE government will continue to boost the fishing and agriculture industry in the country through the allocation of RM210 million for financing facilities under the Vessel Modernisation and Mechanisation Programme, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (picture) said.
To boost the sector and the wellbeing of fishermen, MAFI is allocating RM150 million for the purpose of modernisation of fishing vessels and equipment upgrades. Meanwhile, RM60 million is allocated for the Agro-Food Value Chain Modernisation Programme in the form of financing facilities with low financing rates between 3% and 3.5 % for a maximum period of 10 years.
“The financing for modernisation of vessels involves upgrading traditional fishermen in Zone A and Zone B and now have been extended to Zone C and Zone C2,” he said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The modernisation will enable them to improve their vessels, install efficient equipment that will improve safety aspects and upgrade the catches.
The usage of modern vessels will also attract locals, especially the youth to venture into the fisheries sector and further reduce the country’s dependence on foreign labour.
Apart from financing, the initiative aims to promote the adoption of smart agriculture by incorporating Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) technology as a pillar in farming.
Kiandee said this initiative is also in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) which has identified smart agriculture as one of the activities strategic and high impact that can regenerate the country’s economic growth.
The sector has grown its GDP by 2.3% in 2020. The contribution of agro-food to agricultural GDP also increased from RM44.2 billion in 2015 to RM51.3 billion in 2020.
“In the 12MP, efforts will be focused on accelerating the adoption of modern technology in the agro-food sector especially crops, livestock and fisheries,” the minister said further.
So far, among the IR4.0-based technologies that are in the focus for the agro-food sector is sensor technology, robotics, drones, blockchain and other technologies that are of the concept of smart farming.
Additionally, MAFI will also be introducing an e-commerce platform powered by the blockchain technology to be used by agencies under MAFI to promote and exercise commercial activities for their products.
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