LENGGONG: The Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (Perak SADC) aims to contribute RM6 million to the state's income in the agrotourism industry through the Perak Agrotourism Carnival 2024 (PAC 2024), which took place at Tasik Raban Resort, here.
The inaugural three-day carnival that was held on Friday and ended yesterday, attracted more than 20,000 visitors.
The carnival featured more than 100 entrepreneurs and operators from all over the state in various activities such as agrotourism exhibition, dragon boat race and entrepreneurship forum.
It also offered discounts of up to 70 per cent for 50 attractive packages tied to agrotourism products.
Perak SADC chief executive officer Datuk Yahanis Yahya said the organisation of the carnival was proof of Perak SADC's commitment to strengthen the state's agrotourism industry.
He said the carnival was also expected to become an annual event as an initiative to boost the state's agrotourism industry.
"We are targeting an increase of RM6 million to the state's agrotourism industry. Starting from the organisation of this carnival, the economic spillover will generate continuous benefits for the Lenggong district and Perak in general.
"With continued implementation, events like this can attract more tourists from home and abroad, increase the potential of agriculture and tourism in an area, as well as open up new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and economic contributors.
"Initiatives like this can also promote the sustainability of nature and local culture, which are important aspects of the development of the tourism industry," he said at the opening ceremony of the carnival.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, who is also Perak SADC chairman, officiated at the carnival's opening ceremony.
Also present was the Deputy Home Minister and Lenggong member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
Yahanis said Perak SADC remained committed in helping the state government to boost the agrotourism sector by making 2024 the year to focus on the industry, in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 state development plan.
"The organisation of PAC 2024 is in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan under the flagship Lembah Bakul Makanan initiative under the Agrotourism Hub programme ," he said.
Meanwhile, Saarani said realising the great potential of the industry, the state government was committed in developing the agritourism industry holistically and sustainably to generate more job opportunities, create new enterprises and improve the socioeconomic status of the people.
He said as an agency given responsibility by the state government to develop the state's agro sector, various initiatives have been implemented through Perak SADC, including incentive assistance and capacity building programmes to empower the agrotourism sector.
caption:Perak Menteri Besar and Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (Perak SADC) chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (third from right) launching the Perak SADC Agrotourism Celebrity Icon with Datuk Awie (third from left) at the at the Perak Agrotourism Carnival 2024 at Tasik Raban Resort in Lenggong, yesterday. Also present are Deputy Home Minister and Lenggong member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (second from left), Perak SADC chief executive officer Datuk Yahanis Yahya (second from right), State financial officer Datuk Zaki Mahyudin (right) and State legal adviser
Datuk Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin (left). PIC COURTESY OF PERAK SADC