Agri sector needs massive transformation, says PM
Tue, Nov 24, 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: The agriculture sector needs to undergo a massive transformation as it is the third engine of growth in the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"The sector is an important source of income for people in rural areas and for the growth of the nation’s economy. As such, a massive transformation is needed for the sector beginning from the planting level right up to marketing.
"With the support of farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen and the commitment given by the government to the sector, it is not impossible to transform the sector to be a big success story," he said in his speech in conjunction with the 36th annual meeting of the National Farmers Association (Nafas) here yesterday.
The text of his speech was read out by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar.
Najib said he was confident that with the implementation of the New Food Policy by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, the nation should be able to show a food surplus by 2020.
He added that because of the importance of the sector, the government allocated RM6 billion for it in the 2010 budget. — BERNAMA
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