KUCHING, Oct 4: Farming revolution through advanced analytical capabilities and constantly improvement of internet of things to optimise their produce through innovation to carter for the demands in the market.
Hence, farmers need to understand the new way of farming over the conventional methods that would increase each farmer capabilities to feed a wider range of people as compared to the conventional methods.
As new era of the humanitarian and environmental crisis is centered around food and agriculture due to the pandemic, coupled with the various movement control order imposed, no doubt it had caused disruption in the agriculture supply chain in Malaysia, especially Sarawak.
Serembu assemblyman, Miro Simuh said farming has become synonymous with the Dayak community in Sarawak, therefore it is due time for the community to adapt with the use of technology and leave the traditional cultivation method.
“So we can produce more in-term of production, while ease things and have better yield.
“We need to adapt to the modern way of farming, rather than keep being in the traditional way,” he added.
He noted as the country shifted to the endemic phase, and various economic activities gradually resume, the government through the department of agriculture should approach and prepare the local community in modern farming.
“Let them familiarise with modern farming that could produce higher yield and quality agricultural products,” Miro said adding that he has also adapt to fertigation of various plants such as watermelon and ginger
Under the five years 12th Malaysia Plan, efforts to accelerate the adoption of modern technologies among farmers will be implemented.
Encouraging farmer to utilise the big data analytic, Internet Of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as intensifying usage of drones.
As such, a dedicated smart farming fund will be introduced to expedite the modern technology adoption in the agriculture.
Meanwhile, The Sarawak Agro Fund established in 2017 has approved RM28.6 million in grants and loans to 25 farmers in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said a sum of RM13.7 million from the RM28.6 million approved under the Sarawak Agro Fund had been disbursed as of August 31 this year.
Uggah, who is also the state Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said 25 applications had been received for the fund, created to facilitate agriculture entrepreneurs getting financial assistance for their project.
Sarawak Agro Venture Capital Fund (SAVCF) is a financial facility dedicated for financing viable agro-based economic activities, which is managed by Sarawak Land Development Board, offers entrepreneurs funding namely the Business Start-Up Grant (BSUG) and Business Growth & Expansion Fund (BGEF).
For more information and Business pitching, click here: https://peladangsarawak.com.my/2021/02/24/sarawak-agro-venture-capital-fund-savcf/
By Reuben Gomes
Edited by Darryl Law
