| Azlan Othman |
LOCAL farmers should go for large scale farming using high technology and good quality seedlings to produce more so that they can take advantage of the economies of scale and tap overseas export markets Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, said yesterday.
During a visit to AE Asia Agri-Mart Sdn Bhd, a one-stop destination that sells agriculture machinery and plantation products located at Jalan Bengkurong Masin, the minister told the local media that our farmers, especially paddy cultivators, need to go on a big scale as it would make manure, pesticides and equipment cheaper.
“It (agriculture production) should not be just for catering to the domestic market but also for exporting to overseas markets in Asean and East Asia region. Our small size of the market should not be a hindrance to our economic growth,” he added.
“They (farmers) should go for big scale paddy cultivation like 50 to 100 hectares and not merely one to five hectares. Farmers who operate small scale farms will have to buy their manure, seedlings and so on directly, resulting in higher cost. If they buy or order in bulk, cost will be less. Of course, it requires huge capital,” the minister explained.
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, during his visit to AE Asia Agri-Mart Sdn Bhd
Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, in a group photo with officials. – PHOTOS: AZROL AZMI
“Our farmers should also look for seedlings that could produce higher yield and sell produces at a higher price. Large scale farming coupled with the use of high technology and good seedlings would produce higher yields,” he pointed out.
“Government provides subsidies to farmers and buys their paddy at times. If we use high technology and quality seedlings, then the output and profit will be higher, and there is no need for the government to give subsidies or buy the paddy from farmers.
“It’s a win-win situation where farmer reaps the profit and the government will not incur any losses as it doesn’t need to buy the paddy at a higher price and sell it at a lower price,” the minister said.
“Currently, our paddy yield is three to five tonnes per hectare annually whereas in countries such as in Indonesia and Thailand, the yearly yield is up to 12 tonnes. But, we are going to introduce new hybrid varieties like Padi Titih by next year which can produce up to eight tonnes. We are also planning to develop other hybrids that can produce up to 12 tonnes per hectare by 2019,” he added.
Prior to visiting AE Asia Agri-Mart, the minister also visited a poultry farm in Sungai Tajau and plantations in Kampong Batang Mitus.
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