SALUTATIONS
1. Yang Berbahagia Datuk Azah Hanim Ahmad, Deputy Secretary-General (Policy), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM)
2. Yang Berbahagia Datuk Ts. Fadzli Abdul Wahit, Senior Vice President, MDEC
3. Yang Berusaha Puan Nor Rahila Mohd Yusof, Acting Director, Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) Kedah
4. Encik Azizi Razak, Head of Microfinance, Penang, Kedah & Perlis Branch, Agrobank
5. Encik Faisal Shadly, Chief Executive Officer, Pacton Technologies
6. Encik Sudeman Harith, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Archipelago Berhad
Distinguished media representatives,
Honourable guests.
A very good morning, Salam Perpaduan, and Salam Malaysia MADANI.
1. On behalf of the Ministry of Digital, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) for the invitation to Jelajah Malaysia Digital (JMD), Kedah. This initiative highlights the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Digital Agriculture Technology (AgTech), which plays a key role in modernising our country's agricultural sector.
Digital Agriculture
Dear esteemed guests,
2. Malaysia is currently undergoing rapid digital transformation. Technology has proven its ability to enhance national competitiveness, accelerate economic growth, and create new opportunities for the people.
3. The use of smart farming technologies and vertical farming, which integrate Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), is expected to facilitate farmers' operations in the field while attracting the younger generation to venture into this sector.
4. The agricultural sector is often associated with "3D" jobs – dirty, dangerous, and difficult. Additionally, it is perceived as a high-risk sector with low investment returns. However, our mission today is to change this perception and elevate the agricultural sector to a more modern and productive level through digital technology. This aligns with the Ministry of Digital’s key focus on establishing a Digital Government, Digital Economy, and Digital Society.
5. A well-managed agricultural sector also plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and sovereignty. We can learn from our southern neighbour, which has successfully leveraged technology to strengthen its food security system.
6. Here in Kedah, we also have success stories of farmers who have adopted Digital AgTech. For instance:
a. Mohd Naim Bin Kamsin successfully increased his red chili productivity by more than 20% and generated an additional income of over RM2,000 per acre per season. He also managed to reduce operating costs by 33%, amounting to RM1,700 per month.
b. Law Fook Loy reduced operating costs by RM1,800 per month with Digital AgTech. He also increased white shrimp productivity by over 20% and generated an additional RM3,500 per pond per season.
c. Ramachanthiran Munusamy, a poultry farmer, increased his sales by more than 20%, earning an additional RM5,000 per coop per season. He also managed to reduce operating costs by RM2,250 (30%).
Dear esteemed guests,
7. Besides boosting productivity and yield, Digital AgTech also brings significant benefits to national development. One of them is facilitating agricultural product marketing, allowing farmers to reach markets faster and more efficiently.
8. This technology also enhances the global competitiveness of Malaysia’s agricultural exports, helping the country penetrate international markets with high quality products.
9. Moreover, Digital AgTech promotes social balance by benefiting small scale farmers, ensuring they are not left behind in the nation’s agricultural modernization efforts.
10. I firmly believe that this transformation will have a lasting and comprehensive impact on the nation's well-being and the agricultural community.
National Agrofood Policy (DAN 2.0)
Dear esteemed guests,
11. In line with the National Agrofood Policy (DAN 2.0), the National Food Security Policy, and the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED4IRN), the government has taken strategic steps to strengthen digital agriculture in Malaysia.
12. MDEC has been appointed as the National Digital AgTech Strategic Validator (Digital AgTech) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to support the adoption of digital technology in the agricultural sector. Further details on this initiative will be shared by MDEC during the upcoming casual discussion session.
13. I would also like to emphasize that strong collaboration between the Agricultural Modernization Division under KPKM, Farmers’ Organization Authority (LPP), Department of Agriculture, Department of Fisheries, and Agrobank is essential to ensure the success of digital agriculture initiatives at the national level.
Closing
Dear esteemed guests,
14. The adoption of technology in the agricultural sector not only benefits farmers and agripreneurs but also strengthens national food security and enhances Malaysia’s digital economy.
15. I am pleased to announce that MDEC and the Ministry of Digital will implement 15 Digital AgTech projects using IoT and AI technology this year, with a total investment of over RM300,000 to accelerate digital transformation in Kedah’s agricultural sector.
16. Before I conclude, I would like to express my gratitude once again to MDEC for inviting me to Jelajah Malaysia Digital, Kedah. May this initiative continue to be a catalyst for Malaysia’s digital economic development.
Thank you.
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