Govt boosts initiatives to engage youth in farming
GOPENG: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is intensifying efforts to promote youth involvement in agriculture, amid concerns over Malaysia's ageing farmer population, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
The deputy minister stated that, with many farmers now in their 60s, the ministry recognised that the ageing farmer issue is a global challenge.
He said that the country would implement targeted measures to address the issue.
'This is not a challenge unique to Malaysia. We are taking proactive steps to attract more young people to the agriculture sector,' he said at the Fama Fest 2025, which was held at the Rural Transformation Centre here on Sunday (June 1).
Arthur was responding to the preliminary findings from the 2024 Agriculture Census, which indicated that Malaysians over the age of 60 constitute the largest segment of the country's farmers, while approximately 90% of all farmers have only completed education up to the SPM level.
Arthur said that one of the initiatives was the organisation of programmes such as Fama Fest, which aim to create broader market access for young agropreneurs.
'We want to show that agriculture and the agri-food industry are viable and profitable career paths.
'The ministry is also advocating for a shift away from conventional farming methods, urging a transition to modern, technology-driven agriculture,' he added.
He said the ministry was also promoting agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.
'These courses, which cover areas such as livestock, fisheries, and vegetable farming, are fully funded by the government, including accommodation and daily expenses to make them more accessible to youth.
'There is also a need for cooperation from state governments. It is important that land and financing are made available to ensure young people have the resources to grow and expand their agricultural ventures,' he said.
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