The use of technology and the implementation of modern agricultural practices will be among the key aspects addressed under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) which begins in 2021, says Agriculture and Agro-based Industry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan.
He said the effort was also expected to reduce imports of vegetables by 30%, as well as drive the country's agricultural industry and increase the export of quality vegetables abroad. Last year, about RM3.3 billion of the 50.5 billion worth of imports in the food sector comprised vegetables, and the amount was seen as quite high.
"The use of technology and modern agriculture are important aspects of 12MP, in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the National Agro-Food Policy 2.0 in ensuring that the country's agricultural industry, especially the supply of vegetables, can accommodate current demand and reduce dependence on imports.
"With the initiative as well, we are planning to make a new, more efficient National Agro-Based Policy, reducing the value of national agriculture deficit from the RM18.8 billion recorded last year," he told theedgemarkets.com after the opening of the Southeast Asian Vegetable Symposium (SEAVEG).
