More events to be staged at MAEPS next year

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry (MOA) will be organising more agriculture-related programmes at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) next year.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the move would be implemented after taking into consideration the success of the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show (MAHA) 2016 in attracting 3.7 million visitors in two weeks.

"MAHA 2016 not only showed the people are getting more interested in agriculture, but the success could be seen from the aspect of education and tourism.

"Some families have made MAHA as their holiday excursions. Therefore we have discussed and informed the Cabinet of a new master plan to increase the variety of agriculture events especially during school holidays," he said.

He was met by reporters after a celebration to mark the success of Pak Sabri who is the Malaysian ambassador for kelulut honey at the compound of Bukit Kuang Mosque, here Friday.

Ahmad Shabery said through MAHA 2016, the ministry found positive downstream industry activities based on agricultural products which were exported in the international market.

"We see rapid development in the downstream industries with more modern packaging. We will develop such efforts to ensure entrepreneurs market their products internationally as such exports could help to raise the country's revenue and strengthen our currency," he said.

He said MAHA was also seen as a platform which succeeded in attracting the younger generation to become modern farmers and agriculture was beginning to be seen as a field capable of generating high income and was not just a rural activity.

"They now see agriculture as a field with a bright future as well as being something cool. From the ministry, we have various programmes to assist the younger generation such as 'Young Agroprenurs' and 'Agrotroopers'.

"Through such programmes, they could develop more innovative, quality and competitive products," he said. -- Bernama