Malaysia should produce more scientists and take advantage of the abundant supply of natural resources in the country to produce food for export, said Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.

Jabu, who is also the State Agriculture Modernisation and Rural Development Minister, said there were various methods to produce foodstuff in Malaysia but more scientists and experts were needed to study and create more effective and viable production processes.

"Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem is very concerned with rural development, but the state requires intellectuals to develop rural areas including experts in food production for export," he said at the Sarawak Zone Malaysia Chemistry Carnival 2015 at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) here Wednesday.

As such Jabu urged students in Sarawak to develop interest in the science subjects including Chemistry, Physics and Biology, in addition to focusing on English and the national language.

He said science subjects were very useful while adding that those who scored well in the Science subjects and English language would stand a better chance in the job market.

Meanwhile Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi said it was hoped that the carnival themed "Chemistry For A Sustainable World" would create awareness on the wonders of chemistry and help students develop a keen interest in the subject.