�AGROBiz � �AY-JUNE . 2024

The Agriculture Department ’ s 2024 Plant Subsector Development Symposium at the KSL Esplanade Hotel , Klang .

MAFS Symposium showcases agricultural innovations

BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO

This move addressed the influx of cheap goats and cattle of questionable health status , which posed a significant threat to local livestock breeders .

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security , Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu , emphasised that heightened control , particularly at the northern border and the east coast of the Peninsula , is crucial to the ministry ’ s efforts to curb the illegal entry of livestock .

This issue posed a significant threat to local breeders by affecting price competition .

Mohammad Sabu stated : “ This step is essential to combat the smuggling of goats and cattle with questionable health status into the country .

“ If these livestock enter without following the legal process , it will affect our breeders , especially in Kelantan , Terengganu , Kedah , and Perak . For that reason , we hope that enforcement at the border will be intensified .”

Mohamad Sabu made these remarks to reporters after officiating the Agriculture Department ’ s 2024 Plant Subsector Development Symposium at the KSL Esplanade Hotel in Klang .

PLANT SUBSECTOR DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM

The themed “ Agricultural Innovation for Food Security ” symposium was an ideal platform to drive positive transformation in the agri-food sector .

It aimed to foster innovation , particularly in empowering the agricultural extension system within the food crop subsector .

Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu at the Agriculture Department ’ s 2024 Plant Subsector Development Symposium .

The three-day hybrid symposium brought together nearly 1,000 participants , including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Secretary- General Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali , and the Director-General of Agriculture Dato ’ Nor Sam Alwi , Grade G scheme cadre officers ( agriculture ) from various ministries , senior officers from multiple departments and agencies , and farmers and entrepreneurs .

During the event , Mohamad Sabu launched a mobile extension service called the Plant Doctor Clinic . This mobile service offers facilities such as mini laboratories ( providing water / soil analysis services and disease / pest diagnostics ), reference materials , discussion rooms , and exhibition spaces .

The Plant Doctor Clinic has already been implemented in four States - Selangor , Negeri Sembilan , Melaka , and Johor . It will be expanded nationwide .

RECOGNITION FOR TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

Another symposium highlight was the acknowledgement of the DOA ’ s innovative GeoPlanting System .

This system was recently honoured as the Champion in the e-agriculture category at the 2024 World Summit Information Society ( WSIS ) Prizes . Organised by the International Telecommunication Union ( ITU ) under the United Nations ( UN ), this accolade underscores the global recognition of the DOA ’ s ICT innovations in agriculture .

“ This recognition proves that the ICT innovation in agriculture produced by the Department of Agriculture has gained global recognition ,” Mohamad Sabu expressed .

On May 28 in Geneva , Switzerland , the system was crowned the primary winner of the WSIS Prizes 2024 . It won a major victory under Category C13 Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) Applications – Whole Life Benefits : E-Agriculture with more than 2.2 million votes .

Sam Alwi highlighted that the DOA has introduced various technology-based agricultural initiatives alongside the Geo- Planting System and Plant Doctor Clinic .

These include the e-Extension System , the Farmers Fields School ( FFS ) Programme , and mySOILDOCTOR , all aimed to modernise agricultural practices and support farmers through advanced technology .

In addition to technological innovations , MAFS also launched the Guidelines for Agricultural Management on Existing Peatland ( Buku Garis Panduan Pengurusan Pertanian di Tanah Gambut Sedia Ada ). This publication is intended to serve as a comprehensive guide for parties interested in undertaking agricultural projects on peatlands .

SUSTAINABLE LAND USE

It emphasises the importance of sustainable land resource use grounded in Good Agricultural Practices and environmental conservation .

Mohamad Sabu explained : “ The publication of this book can serve as a guide to all parties wishing to undertake agricultural projects on peatlands by emphasising sustainable land resource use based on Good Agricultural Practices and environmental care .”

The symposium also featured six papers presented by officials from various ministries , including success stories from two selected entrepreneurs .

While these sessions provided valuable insights and shared experiences to drive innovation and improvement within the agricultural sector , the initiatives and innovations showcased at the symposium highlighted MAFS ’ s commitment to enhancing it . – @ AGROBiz