Smart agriculture way forward to address climate change

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysia believes that climate-smart agriculture could contribute to the advancement of agricultural system transformation to ensure food security in a changing climate.

Agriculture and Food Industries Deputy Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah said a comprehensive shift towards modernisation was required, and smart farming or precision agriculture was indeed the way forward in addressing climate change.

However, he said, Malaysia recognised that addressing climate change and food security could not be done by countries individually.

“It's a global concern and requires orchestrated global efforts by various governments, international organisations, NGOs, researchers, academicians, the private sector, local communities and individuals.

“With that, Malaysia looks forward to further regional cooperation and smart partnership of policymakers, scientists, the private sector, as well as the farming community to implement the convergence of technological advancement, policymaking decisions and business experiences.”

Ahmad said this in his keynote address at the opening of the four-day 50th International Cocotech Conference and Exhibition 2022 (COCOTECH 2022) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, here, today.

“The consequences of climate change on agriculture including the coconut industry are devastating, where Malaysia recorded more than RM90 million (USD 19 million) in losses of its agro-food industry last year due to floods that affected 7,460 farmers,” he added.

Coconut is the fourth most important industrial crop in Malaysia after palm oil, rice and rubber with a total planted area of 84,942 hectares and annual production of 560,984 tonnes, involving 66,000 farmers.

Like other coconut-producing countries, most of the coconut crops in Malaysia are cultivated traditionally by small farmers who are vulnerable to external factors that have impacts on agriculture.

“The adverse impact of climate change is one of five key challenges identified in Malaysia’s agro-food sector and due to this, the government has developed a policy direction to address the challenges, namely, the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 (NAP 2.0) and National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021-2025,” said Ahmad.

Both policies highlight three strategies - promoting the adoption of technology and automation including climate-smart agriculture approaches, strengthening the data on food security and intensifying research, development, commercialisation, and innovation of potential alternative agriculture practices for food production.

With the theme of ‘Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy For A Resilient and Sustainable Coconut Industry, COCOTECH 2022 which has about 400 participants from the International Coconut Community (ICC) and non-ICC members, is showcasing 40 exhibition booths to the public.

-- BERNAMA