Latest news with #Napier
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Gators AD Scott Stricklin: 'A lot of stability' with Billy Napier and Florida football
Gators AD Scott Stricklin: 'A lot of stability' with Billy Napier and Florida football Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin offered strong public support for head football coach Billy Napier during a Wednesday appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show, praising his leadership qualities and expressing optimism about the Gators' trajectory heading into the 2025 season. "It was a challenging football season, and it was incredibly rewarding the way they finished," Stricklin said. "I give Billy Napier a lot of credit. You know, Billy, he's as solid an individual as you will find in this profession." Stricklin commended Napier's integrity and toughness, noting how the third-year head coach leaned on his values to guide Florida through a turbulent 2024 campaign. "His faith is very important to him," Stricklin said. "He called on every single one of those traits and qualities going through the first half of that football season last year, and I think the way the team played toward the end is a reflection of his stability, his determination, his toughness, his just overall leadership." The Gators showed improvement down the stretch last season and head into 2025 with renewed expectations. Napier is set to begin his fourth season at the helm, aiming to return Florida to SEC contention. "When we kick off the season August 30th, it's going to be another firestorm, and we're all going to have to weather it," Stricklin said. "And I do feel like he's (Napier) constructed a roster with a lot of talent. We've got a talented young quarterback (DJ Lagway)... we've got some playmakers around him." Stricklin also emphasized the program's long-needed sense of direction under Napier's leadership. "There's a lot of stability in that program that we've not had in a long, long time," he said. "A lot of talent in that program. And there is that momentum, I think, will help." The Florida Gators open their 2025 season at home against Long Island University on Aug. 30. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
DOSM agricultural census identifies kenaf, Napier grass, seaweed as high-potential crops
SERDANG: The 2024 Agricultural Census findings indicate potential in cultivating new crops such as kenaf, Napier grass and seaweed, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. He said the findings also show that kenaf recorded a planting area of 1,497ha with an output of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier grass recorded an area of 1,387.7ha and an output of 35,687 tonnes. "These industries possess a great potential in terms of value addition, exports, and the production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment," he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census report today. He said the plantation industry such as coffee, coconut, and cocoa, has also shown a decline in terms of land area, productivity, and the number of active entrepreneurs. However, the industry still holds significant strategic value and can be revitalised through modern, planned and integrated approaches. For example, local coffee varieties still attract international attention due to the global demand for high-quality coffee. Cocoa, which previously was among the country's main exports, now plays only a small role in the agricultural sector's contribution to the economy. "For the coconut industry, although it is no more considered competitive, its potential in producing value-added products cannot be overlooked. "The recovery of this industry can be achieved through mechanisation and modernisation of farms to change the perception that coconuts are a traditional crop to a profitable one," he said. Besides community crops, fruits and vegetables, the agricultural census also includes industrial crops, cash crops, and herbs classified under other agricultural activities. For the capture fisheries sector, Mohd Uzir said it is one of the main sectors in Malaysia's fisheries industry that contributes to domestic fish supply as well as exports abroad. "Kedah and Penang are the main states for capture fisheries on the northwest coast, with high fish landing numbers, known for deep-sea fishing as well as landings of pelagic fish such as kembung (mackerel), selar (scad) and tongkol (skipjack)," he said. He said that overall, the census also showed that the total number of individual agricultural holdings consisted of 753,139 men (74.7 per cent), while 255,690 (25.3 per cent) were women. As the next step, Mohd Uzir said a consultation session will be organised with various stakeholders to discuss the census findings "This session will serve as a platform to discuss related agricultural issues, including food security, and it is hoped that all parties can fully utilise agricultural statistics in decision-making and contribute to the sustainable and competitive growth of the agricultural sector," he added. – Bernama
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
DOSM 2024 Agricultural Census Identifies Kenaf, Napier Grass, Seaweed As High-potential Crops
SERDANG, May 29 (Bernama) -- The 2024 Agricultural Census findings indicate potential in cultivating new crops such as kenaf, Napier grass and seaweed, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin. Mohd Uzir said the findings also show that kenaf recorded a planting area of 1,497.0 hectares (ha) with an output of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier grass recorded an area of 1,387.7 ha and an output of 35,687 tonnes. 'These industries possess a great potential in terms of value addition, exports, and the production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment," he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census report today. He said the plantation industry such as coffee, coconut, and cocoa, has also shown a decline in terms of land area, productivity, and the number of active entrepreneurs. However, the industry still holds significant strategic value and can be revitalised through modern, planned and integrated approaches. For example, local coffee varieties still attract international attention due to the global demand for high-quality coffee. Cocoa, which previously was among the country's main exports, now plays only a small role in the agricultural sector's contribution to the economy. 'For the coconut industry, although it is no more considered competitive, its potential in producing value-added products cannot be overlooked. The recovery of this industry can be achieved through mechanisation and modernisation of farms to change the perception that coconuts are a traditional crop to a profitable one," he said. Besides community crops, fruits and vegetables, the agricultural census also includes industrial crops, cash crops, and herbs classified under other agricultural activities. For the capture fisheries sector, Mohd Uzir said it is one of the main sectors in Malaysia's fisheries industry that contributes to domestic fish supply as well as exports abroad.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kenaf, Napier grass, seaweed named high-potential crops by DOSM
SERDANG: The 2024 Agricultural Census findings indicate potential in cultivating new crops such as kenaf, Napier grass and seaweed, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin. Mohd Uzir said the findings also show that kenaf recorded a planting area of 1,497.0 hectares (ha) with an output of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier grass recorded an area of 1,387.7 ha and an output of 35,687 tonnes. 'These industries possess a great potential in terms of value addition, exports, and the production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment,' he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census report today. He said the plantation industry such as coffee, coconut, and cocoa, has also shown a decline in terms of land area, productivity, and the number of active entrepreneurs. However, the industry still holds significant strategic value and can be revitalised through modern, planned and integrated approaches. For example, local coffee varieties still attract international attention due to the global demand for high-quality coffee. Cocoa, which previously was among the country's main exports, now plays only a small role in the agricultural sector's contribution to the economy. 'For the coconut industry, although it is no more considered competitive, its potential in producing value-added products cannot be overlooked. The recovery of this industry can be achieved through mechanisation and modernisation of farms to change the perception that coconuts are a traditional crop to a profitable one,' he said. Besides community crops, fruits and vegetables, the agricultural census also includes industrial crops, cash crops, and herbs classified under other agricultural activities. For the capture fisheries sector, Mohd Uzir said it is one of the main sectors in Malaysia's fisheries industry that contributes to domestic fish supply as well as exports abroad. 'Kedah and Penang are the main states for capture fisheries on the northwest coast, with high fish landing numbers, known for deep-sea fishing as well as landings of pelagic fish such as kembung (mackerel), selar (scad) and tongkol (skipjack),' he said. He said that overall, the census also showed that the total number of individual agricultural holdings consisted of 753,139 men (74.7 per cent), while 255,690 (25.3 per cent) were women. As the next step, Mohd Uzir said a consultation session will be organised with various stakeholders to discuss the census findings 'This session will serve as a platform to discuss related agricultural issues, including food security, and it is hoped that all parties can fully utilise agricultural statistics in decision-making and contribute to the sustainable and competitive growth of the agricultural sector,' he added.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
DOSM 2024 Agricultural Census identifies kenaf, Napier grass, seaweed as high-potential crops
SERDANG: The 2024 Agricultural Census findings indicate potential in cultivating new crops such as kenaf, Napier grass and seaweed, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin. Mohd Uzir said the findings also show that kenaf recorded a planting area of 1,497.0 hectares (ha) with an output of 9,916.1 tonnes, while Napier grass recorded an area of 1,387.7 ha and an output of 35,687 tonnes. 'These industries possess a great potential in terms of value addition, exports, and the production of downstream products, where the supply chain needs to be strengthened to drive the growth of this segment,' he said in a statement issued in conjunction with the launch of the 2024 Interim Agricultural Census report today. He said the plantation industry such as coffee, coconut, and cocoa, has also shown a decline in terms of land area, productivity, and the number of active entrepreneurs. However, the industry still holds significant strategic value and can be revitalised through modern, planned and integrated approaches. For example, local coffee varieties still attract international attention due to the global demand for high-quality coffee. Cocoa, which previously was among the country's main exports, now plays only a small role in the agricultural sector's contribution to the economy. 'For the coconut industry, although it is no more considered competitive, its potential in producing value-added products cannot be overlooked. The recovery of this industry can be achieved through mechanisation and modernisation of farms to change the perception that coconuts are a traditional crop to a profitable one,' he said. Besides community crops, fruits and vegetables, the agricultural census also includes industrial crops, cash crops, and herbs classified under other agricultural activities. For the capture fisheries sector, Mohd Uzir said it is one of the main sectors in Malaysia's fisheries industry that contributes to domestic fish supply as well as exports abroad. 'Kedah and Penang are the main states for capture fisheries on the northwest coast, with high fish landing numbers, known for deep-sea fishing as well as landings of pelagic fish such as kembung (mackerel), selar (scad) and tongkol (skipjack),' he said. He said that overall, the census also showed that the total number of individual agricultural holdings consisted of 753,139 men (74.7 per cent), while 255,690 (25.3 per cent) were women. As the next step, Mohd Uzir said a consultation session will be organised with various stakeholders to discuss the census findings 'This session will serve as a platform to discuss related agricultural issues, including food security, and it is hoped that all parties can fully utilise agricultural statistics in decision-making and contribute to the sustainable and competitive growth of the agricultural sector,' he added.
