KUALA LUMPUR: The contribution of the Agrofood sector to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has jumped by almost 100 per cent following the implementation of the National Agrofood Policy (NAP) in 2011.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the sector's contribution has increased with an average annual growth of 6.8 per cent last year.
He said total food exports have also increased by an average annual growth rate of 6.4 per cent from RM18.1 billion to RM33.7 billion during the same period time.
To continue the success of the NAP, Ismail Sabri said NAP 2.0 was enacted to further develop the agro-food sector particularly to improve food security in the country.
"The national food system needs to be strengthened to be more resilient and sustainable in preparation to face pandemics other than Covid-19 that may happen in the future.
"This includes improving performances at all levels related to production, processing, distribution, preparation, food security and nutrition," he said in his speech during the virtual launching ceremony of the National Agrofood Policy (NAP 2.0) 2021-2030 today.
Ismail Sabri said the government had established a Cabinet Committee on National Food Security Policy on Mar 25, 2020, to plan a holistic food security policy.
He said the National Food Security Action Plan 2021-2025 was developed through the cabinet committee after taking into account the national food security issues and challenges.
The Prime Minister said the focus of the nation's food system transformation, as was mentioned at the United Nation's Food Systems Summit, would be implemented via NAP 2.0.
He said to achieve the goals of NAP 2.0, smart farming methods would play a vital role in modernising the Agro-food sector.
"Smart agriculture is one of the key economic growth activities that have been outlined in the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, it aims to increase the productivity of all Agro-food sub-sectors.
"NAP 2.0 has positioned modernisation strategies and smart agriculture as key game-changers for the successful transformation of the Agro-food sector.
"It will be driven through funds, investment incentives and manpower to increase the level of technology adoption to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)."
Ismail Sabri explained that research, development, commercialisation and innovation will be the core in developing the Agro-food sector.
"At the same time, the cooperation of various government research agencies, public and private higher learning institutions will also be mobilised to make NAP 2.0 a success."
He said the policies and plans would complement each other in improving the sustainability of the Agro-food system in the country.
"These efforts will be successful through modernisation and smart agriculture as well as strengthening the Agro-food value chain.
"The priority this time is focused on efforts to improve productivity and income as well as the quality of life among food sector producers," he said, adding that the Agro-food sector is expected to grow by 4.5 per cent annually during the 12th Malaysia Plan period.