Perak goes big in agri-food sector

The Star

a day ago

Saarani (second from right) visiting one of the stalls during the Fama Fest event at RTC Gopeng. — Bernama
PERAK is investing in the development of a highly skilled and quality workforce for its agri-food sector, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Mentri Besar said recognising the need for a skilled and future-ready workforce, the state has rolled out various technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes focused on agriculture.
Among these are the TVET Madani Agricultural Certificate Programme at Titi Gantong Agricultural Institute.
Other key institutions include the Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Fisheries College in Lumut, which specialises in aquaculture and seafood processing, and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) which offers a Master's in TVET Agricultural Science Education to develop future agricultural educators.
'Today's agriculture requires more than fieldwork,' Saarani said in his speech at the closing of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) Fest 2025 at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Gopeng.
He said Perak required agropreneurs who understood digital marketing, green technology, innovation and data analytics.
To attract youth into the sector, he said the government was also promoting agrotourism and hands-on agricultural education, working with local farms, cooperatives, and processing centres.
'These initiatives aim to spark interest among younger generations while diversifying rural economic opportunities.
'The transformation strategy also includes the development of the Perak Halal Industrial Park (HIP) in Lekir.
'The integrated hub is home to halal food processors, livestock product manufacturers and a modern logistics network.
'It's expected to draw substantial domestic and foreign investments, especially in processed food, halal biotechnology and frozen food exports,' he added.
Saarani said Perak was also pushing for the adoption of smart farming technologies including automation, sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) to improve productivity and efficiency.
He said assistance was being provided through technology incentives, digitalisation support, and logistics upgrades in collaboration with research agencies such as Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi) and Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI).
'To ensure inclusive growth, the government is also empowering community-based models involving village cooperatives, women farmer groups and micro-entrepreneur networks.
'These efforts are designed to ensure fair income distribution and collective advancement of rural communities.
'The public is also being urged to support local agricultural products as a way to sustain grassroots economies and reinforce Perak's position as a leader in national food security and the halal industry,' Saarani said.