Latest news with #IshamIshak
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
KPKM committed to developing corn grain industry
ARAU: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) remains committed to implementing a comprehensive corn grain industry development programme nationwide as part of efforts to reduce import dependency and stabilise the price of livestock feed in the country. Its Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, said one of the locations that has demonstrated notable success in corn grain cultivation is the Chuping Valley Industrial Area (CVIA) near Padang Besar, which is being developed by Green World Genetics Sdn Bhd (GWG) and FGV Chuping Agro Valley. 'This is a proven success story, and we plan to apply the same standard operating procedures (SOPS) to other selected areas. 'Corn grain is crucial as it serves as a key component in livestock feed, particularly for poultry and ruminants such as cattle,' he told Bernama after visiting farms and focus projects in Perlis here today. Meanwhile, he said the ministry was also looking at harnessing the potential of youth in driving the agricultural industry, particularly in grain corn cultivation, through structured training programmes and strategic collaborations with private sector partners. 'GWG, for example, trains many young people and we found that their marketability is very high. The training provided is not just planting, but includes farm management, logistics and marketing. This is important to make agriculture a competitive career,' he said. Isham also encouraged more school leavers to consider agriculture as a viable and promising profession, career, pointing out the existing support infrastructure provided by the government and industry stakeholders. 'The support system is already in place; what's needed is the willingness of young people to explore this sector. 'Many of our farmers today have achieved remarkable success, proving that agriculture is a stable and sustainable career path,' he said.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia, as Asean Chair, to spearhead regional sustainable agriculture, food security
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is strategically positioned to spearhead regional initiatives in sustainable agriculture as the 2025 Asean Chair. Agriculture and Food Security Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said by focusing on slow food, local sourcing, and climate-smart farming, Malaysia is not only protecting its heritage but also future-proofing food systems. 'This reaffirms our commitment to the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 – a comprehensive policy built to modernise Malaysia's agrofood sector and secure our food resilience for generations. 'The agrofood sector contributes not just to GDP but to the daily well-being of every Malaysian household,' he said at the International Café and Beverage Show 2025 (ICBS 2025) and MyFood 2025 today. Isham pointed out that the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 lays out a bold vision, which is to transform Malaysia's agrofood system into one that is resilient, sustainable, technologically advanced, and inclusive. Five strategic thrusts support this transformation – modernisation and smart agriculture, market and product development, human capital empowerment, sustainable and resilient food systems, and conducive business environment and governance. 'For 2025, we are prioritising the reformation of the paddy and rice industry, including upgrading paddy fields and restructuring the value chain. 'Our aim is to improve productivity, raise farmers' income, and ensure a rice supply chain that can weather global volatility and climate threats. We are also working to boost the productivity of the ruminant subsector and attract greater private sector participation in high-value areas such as aquaculture, floriculture and fruits. 'A thriving local agriculture base is the foundation of export readiness. As we strengthen domestic production, we are naturally better positioned to tap into export markets – especially with premium products like durian, edible bird's nest, and ornamental fish, which already enjoy global demand,' Isham said. He noted that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's export facilitation initiatives have yielded remarkable outcomes. He pointed out that in 2021, 296 Malaysian companies and 335 stock-keeping units (SKUs) were successfully introduced to international markets through various food expos around the globe. 'By 2024, these figures had soared to 2,704 companies and 3,838 SKUs, an impressive leap that reflects the rising global recognition of Malaysian agrofood excellence. In the years to come, I am confident that we will witness an upsurge in these figures as more of our local food producers penetrate the global market,' he said. As Malaysia pushes toward a more competitive agrofood industry, quality and trust become the nation's strongest differentiators, Isham said. 'That is why we continue to champion 'Malaysia's Best', a commitment to quality assurance and sustainable practices across the agrofood supply chain. From MyGAP to MyOrganic, and from Fama's Good Practice Labelling to globally accepted traceability systems, our certifications are not only benchmarks of safety and integrity but also symbols of Malaysian excellence.' Isham said through platforms such as MyFood, Malaysia can forge powerful collaborations between government, industry, academia, NGOs and agropreneurs and co-create solutions that are scalable, inclusive and future-focused. 'More than just a domestic showcase, an event like MyFood has also emerged as a catalyst in elevating Malaysia's agrofood identity on the global stage. By highlighting high-quality, value-added products, it opens up international markets for our local producers and enhances Malaysia's reputation as a reliable source of premium agro-based goods,' he added.
