Making sure aid reaches targeted farmers

PUTRAJAYA: A Farmers Registration Enactment will be drawn up to facilitate the channelling of aid to farmers and the government’s planning for agriculture and agrofood, says the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.

The ministry said the drafting of the enactment was agreed upon by state executive councillors in charge of agriculture during a meeting chaired by minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu on Wednesday.

“With the enactment in place, there will be a database to record and register farmers in Malaysia.

“It will also ensure that incentives which the government provides will reach the target group and to avoid leakages in extending assistance to farmers,” the ministry said in a statement.

However, the ministry did not specify when the enactment would be ready.

The meeting was also presented with a proposal to set up dedicated areas for organic farming at state level.

“The proposal for the creation of such an area is in line with the National Agrofood Policy and the National Food Security Action Plan.

“Under the two plans, it is stated that organic farming is one of the activities to be given focus in tackling global challenges, whereby environment-friendly approaches to agriculture are to be adopted,” it added.

The meeting was also briefed on plans to strengthen poultry farming through planning guidelines that had been prepared by the Town and Country Planning Department.

“The ministry has also brought forward a proposal to include China prawn net traps or bubu naga as additional equipment that is not allowed to be used for fishing activities.

“This is due to complaints by licensed fishermen who claimed their fishing nets get damaged after getting stuck with bubu naga,” the ministry said.

The meeting was also presented with a paper on the Young Agropreneur Programme, an initiative to encourage and assist young people to get involved in the agrofood sector.