| James Kon |
THE Department of Agriculture and Agrifood is targeting a 20-per-cent increase in total output from agriculture, agrifood and livestock sectors for this year and expects to achieve a total output worth B$1,080.97 million by 2020.
The ambitious targets of the department’s Strategic Plan 2016-2020 were revealed by Hajah Khartini binti Haji Musa, Acting Deputy Director of Agriculture and Agrifood to local farmers and agro-sector entrepreneurs during a briefing session at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism yesterday.
Highlighting the current status of agriculture development, she said that as of 2016, Brunei has a land mass of 7,360.51 hectares for agriculture, comprising 2,882.25 hectares for poultry development and 4,478.51 hectares for plantation.
There are currently a total of 5,642 entrepreneurs registered under the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood who operate in livestock, plantation and agrifood sectors.
She pointed out that agriculture output for the past 10 years from 2007 to 2016 increased by 93 per cent.
In 2016, the gross agriculture production value stood at B$385.18 million, a 5.2 per cent increase compared to 2015.
Hajah Khartini binti Haji Musa, Acting Deputy Director of Agriculture and Agrifood
Some of the participants attending the briefing on the Strategic Plan 2016-2020 of the Agriculture and Agrifood Department. – PHOTOS: JAMES KON
The contribution of the sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country is 0.57 per cent.
Through the strategic plan of the department, she hoped that “the agro industry output can be increased exponentially with poultry and plantation sectors as the main contributors. The processing sector will continue to grow through the contribution of the poultry and plantation industry.
“To further develop the agriculture sector, especially livestock and plantation, among the efforts carried out by the department include encouraging participation of foreign direct investment and enhancing access to export markets,” Hajah Khartini said.
“The strategic objectives of the department are to increase output from agriculture, livestock and agrifood sectors annually to be able contribute to the GDP as well as to boost export and other economic activities, to continuously raise productivity from agriculture, livestock and agrifood sectors through utilising modern technologies and bringing foreign direct investment,” she explained.
“Other objectives include reducing dependence on government expenditure in implementing strategies and programmes to increase output through public-private partnership and other approaches; creating opportunities for local investors and entrepreneurs to be involved in agro-based industries that can contribute to creation of employment for locals; and to implement preventive measures to protect agriculture, livestock and agrifood industries from diseases that can be spread to humans,” she said.
The strategic plan will also ensure quality and safety of food produced by agriculture, livestock and agrifood industries for the prosperity of the people in the country.
Other presenters yesterday included Hirman bin Haji Abu, Head of Crop Industry Division and Haji Mohd Al-Zamilludin bin Haji Ahmad, an officer from Livestock Industry and Veterinary Services Division.
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