Kedah ready to explore new technology used by Japan in agriculture - Mukhriz

The Kedah state government is keen to adopt several new technology practiced in the agriculture sector of Japan, to increase the yield of local farmers.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said during his three-day working visit to Japan since Sunday, especially to Mei Prefecture, he was able to see the rapid development in agriculture and agro-based industry using latest state-of-the-art technology.

Mukhriz said through the latest technology, agricultural products could be processed into various products.

"We visited a factory that uses its own technology to extract oil from citrus fruits like orange. Nothing is wasted or thrown away...everything, from the skin, seeds and fruits rejected by shops are also used by the factory.

"This really attracted our attention and is certainly an attractive proposition," he told reporters after his visit to Mie Prefecture yesterday.

Earlier, Mukhriz who led a delegation from the state government, visited the Tsuji Oil Mills Co Ltd which is renown for its added value technology to the agro food industry.

Mukhriz said such new initiatives could be ventured into back in Kedah.

He said efforts would be taken to establish a working relationship with Tsuji Oil Mills to study the prospect of using similar technology and research to process fruits produced in Kedah because the state government is serious in developing the agriculture sector, especially in the production of paddy.

On Monday, the delegation had also visited the Mie Prefecture Agricultural Research Institute (MARI) to witness various development initiatives undertaken in the agriculture industry through the introduction of new technology, especially in the production of paddy.

Also in the delegation are State Industry and Investment, Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman, Datuk Dr Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail, Women, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Entrepreneur Development, Women's Welfare Committee chairman Datuk Suraya Yaacob and Science, Innovation and Information Technology, Communication and Advanced Technology and Information Resources Committee chairman Datuk Norsabrina Mohd Noor.