| Lyna Mohamad |
IN 2017, the output from the country’s agriculture sector increased by 91 per cent to BND380 million, compared to only BND200 million in 2007; and the output from this sector is also expected to increase by 2020.
This target is intended to uphold the titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, on the prioritisation of the agriculture sector in ensuring the survivability and independence of Brunei Darussalam.
This was highlighted yesterday by Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy and Chairman of the Knowledge Convention 2018 Premier Forum Working Committee Dato Seri Paduka Awang Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman in his welcoming address at the Premier Forum of the Knowledge Convention 2018.
“This convention is a watershed under the leadership of His Majesty, in the advancement of knowledge as the ground-work for the development and survivability of the people and the nation,” he said.
The deputy minister pointed out that apart from the oil and gas sector, the local agriculture sector is expected to contribute significantly to Brunei’s economic growth and its gross domestic product (GDP).
“His Majesty’s Government has also shown its commitment and support towards the development of the agriculture and agrifood sector, whereby BND7 million in subsidies was allotted to farmers during the financial year of 2017-2018, compared to BND5 million in the financial year of 2016-2017. These subsidies include the purchase of fertilisers, pesticides, farming equipment and infrastructure, as well as maintenance and services.”
The Premier Forum was chaired by Ra’es of Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB) Dr Haji Adanan bin Haji Basar.
The panel comprises Deputy State Mufti Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar bin Haji Mat Dain @ Maidin; Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism Pengiran Haji Kamalrudzaman bin Pengiran Haji Mohd Ishak; and Director General of the Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI) Datuk Dr Mohammad Roff bin Mohd Noor; and Manager of Syarikat Marsya Farm Haji Muliadi bin Moksin.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Japar gave an Islamic perspective on the subject, saying that agriculture is a form of entrepreneurship which can provide income and sustenance to the farmers and the rest of the country.
Pengiran Haji Kamalrudzaman discussed the development of the country’s agriculture sector, while highlighting the value from agricultural production in 1998. “This included locally produced vegetables, fruit, eggs, livestock, poultry, goats, rice and others which amounted to BND92.64 million; and 20 years later, the value from agriculture has increased to BND379.65 million,” he said.
Datuk Dr Mohammad Roff, meanwhile, discussed the development of agriculture sector in Malaysia, with a particular focus on the role of research and development.