KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tonight hinted that good news could be in store for the farmers’ community in the 2016 Budget, set to be tabled on Oct 23.
In his speech at the National Farmers Association 42nd Annual General Meeting tonight, Najib thanked the farmers for their continued support.
He noted that the association was formed by his late father, former prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, as the latter realised that farming was crucial for the country.
In his speech, Najib advised the farming industry to use better technology and employ best practices in order to produce food at reasonable prices.
“We can use abandoned land for agriculture use as land is scarce,” he said.
Najib also advised the food industry to explore options such as partnering foreign hypermarket chains as a means of increasing food export to countries in the Middle East.
The prime minister noted that there had been requests from the association such as aid for its members, approved permits for rice exports, and extra allocation for farming activities.
The request, said Najib, would be looked into.
"I will make an announcement during the coming Budget," he said.
Also present at the event was Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.