According to the Capacity and Training Development Division( MAFS) Director, Hizatul Haliza Hashim, agricultural TVET programmes have the potential to open up wide career pathways and position young Malaysians as a critical force in safeguarding the nation’ s food security.

She said that 16 accredited centres under MAFS currently offer free agricultural TVET programmes. These include the Kolej Pertanian Malaysia in Kedah, the Institut Latihan Mekanisasi dan Automasi Peladang( ILMAP) in Kelantan, and the Institut Veterinar Malaysia in Johor.

Hizatul stated that the government fully sponsored tuition fees

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: Hizatul Haliza Hashim highlights free agricultural TVET programmes as key to building youth careers and strengthening Malaysia’ s food security.

at these institutions, and students pursuing skills certificate-level programmes were entitled to a monthly allowance of RM200.

She added that food, beverages, accommodation, and necessary training equipment were also fully covered. She encouraged young people nationwide to seize this opportunity, noting that their participation was essential to Malaysia’ s future food security.

The programme, she explained, is open to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia( SPM) holders aged 18 to 25, with training available in areas such as crop cultivation, ruminant farming, rice production, and freshwater aquaculture.

EVOLVING CURRICULUM

Hizatul also stated that the ministry continuously reviews and updates the curriculum to ensure alignment with the evolving needs of the agricultural industry.

She highlighted that MAFS actively engaged with industry

stakeholders for input and reviewed the curriculum every five years, or sooner, given the rapid pace of technological change.

She noted that collaboration with university experts further enhanced the quality and relevance of the programmes.

At MAFS’ 13th Agricultural Convocation held recently, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that the employability rate of agricultural TVET graduates had increased from 72.3 per cent in 2022 to 78.1 per cent in 2023.

He expressed optimism that this upward trend would continue and surpass the target of more than 80 per cent.

A total of 448 graduates received certificates and diplomas at the convocation, including the Malaysian Skills Diploma( DKM), Malaysian Skills Certificate( SKM), Agricultural Certificate, Malaysian Veterinary Health Certificate, and Fisheries Certificate.

MALAYSIA’ S food supply remained unaffected by developments in Iran, as the country was not heavily reliant on Iranian food imports, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

He clarified that Malaysia’ s imports from Iran were limited primarily to dates and legume products, which were not categorised as key food commodities. He added that the majority of Malaysia’ s food imports came from countries such as India, Pakistan, the Middle East, China, and ASEAN member states.

Speaking at a Press conference after visiting the Perak State Farmers’ Organisation( PPN)

cattle rearing project at Kampung Tengah, Perak, Mohamad said that Iran was not a major contributor to Malaysia’ s food import needs and therefore posed no threat to food security.

Commenting on the current hot weather and its effect on padi production, Mohamad noted that 60 per cent of the country’ s rice output had so far remained unaffected.

However, he acknowledged that adjustments to planting schedules might be required based on consultations with the Muda Agricultural Development Authority( MADA) and the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority( KADA).

He explained that schedule

changes might be necessary to accommodate shifting weather patterns and maintain crop health.

During his visit to the cattle farm, which currently houses around 500 animals, Mohamad said the ministry would support the development of a slaughterhouse to help increase the farm’ s productivity.

He reiterated the ministry’ s target of achieving more than 30 per cent meat self-sufficiency by 2030, up from the current 20 per cent. With the progress being observed at livestock projects such as this, he expressed confidence in reaching the national goal.- @ AGROBiz

HEAT IMPACT: Agriculture and Food

Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that paddy planting schedules may need to be adjusted if the heatwave persists.