The agro-food sector in the country needs to be more dynamic, modern and innovative, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He said the old mindset that agriculture is merely a self sustenance endeavour must be scrapped.
He cited the success of countries such as the Netherlands, Japan, New Zealand and Australia which have become leading world agricultural product exporters after incorporating technology and innovation into the sector.
The prime minister said the government had always encouraged farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen to capitalise on technology for higher productivity.
If the national agricultural sector thrives, so would the population, he said, adding that the government had set aside a special allocation of RM5.3 billion in Budget 2016 for the sector.
Najib said initiatives had also been made to reduce goods prices aside from plans to launch another 50 farmers' markets and 150 1Malaysia People's Agro Bazaars next year.
"I would like to announce that in Sarawak, four more farmers' markets and 10 more 1Malaysia People's Agro Bazaars will be opened next year," he said when launching the national-level Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) 2015 celebrations at Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan today.
In attendance were Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man.
Also present were Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and other Cabinet ministers.
About 10,000 people were also at the celebrations which would continue until Thursday.
Najib also agreed with Ahmad Shabery's suggestion that farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen should be recognised as heroes.
"According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's estimation, the world population by 2020 would be around 9.7 billion, compared to 7.2 billion currently.
"And if food production is not increased to 60 percent from the present, the world would experience serious famine," he said.
"Food security would become one of the major challenges for the world aside from terrorism, extremist ideologies and climate change," Najib added.
Bernama
Sat Nov 28 2015
Najib holding a preserved milkfish while visiting a booth at thenational-level Farmers, Livestock Breeders and Fishermen's Day 2015 celebrations today. - BERNAMApic
PDRM gerak unit skuba forensik, K9 cari telefon, rantai Nur Farah Kartini hari ini
Proses mencari bahan bukti akan dimulakan sekitar jam 9 pagi di kawasan parit berhampiran ladang kelapa sawit berkenaan.
Bangkai pesawat MH17 tanpa sayap imbau kekejaman tragedi menyayat hati
Keadaan serpihan pesawat MH17 Malaysia Airlines (MAS) yang cuba dibina semula tanpa sayap, tayar, ekor dan tempat duduk penumpang cukup menggerunkan sekali gus mengingatkan pada kekejaman yang meragut
VOP akan diselesaikan dalam tempoh sebulan - Ahmad
Pelaksanaan Syarat Perubahan Harga (VOP) susulan penyasaran subsidi diesel dijangka diselesaikan dalam tempoh sebulan lagi, kata Timbalan Menteri Kerja Raya Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
Industri minyak sawit disaran guna semula sisa untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan - Liew
Industri minyak sawit perlu mengkaji penggunaan semula sisa sebagai stok suapan penting untuk bahan api penerbangan mampan (SAF), di luar penggunaan tradisional minyak sawit.
SDG: UTP lahir pelajar berkemahiran, tinggi tanggungjawab sosial
UTP berhasrat mendidik pelajar bukan sahaja untuk mahir dalam aspek teknikal tetapi juga untuk menjadi warganegara yang bertanggungjawab.
MAA semak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan 2024 kepada 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) telah menyemak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan bermotor baharu bagi 2024 kepada 765,000 unit daripada anggaran sebelumnya sebanyak 740,000 unit.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Pertanian adalah perniagaan
MAHA 2014 merupakan pameran pertanian tertua, terbesar dan unik di Malaysia. Ikuti infografik berikut bagi memahami pameran pertanian dwi-tahunan terbesar ini dengan lebih lanjut.