HPPNK 2025 Showcases Agricutural Evolution, Dispels Traditional Perceptions

PUTRAJAYA, July 31 (Bernama) -- The evolution of Malaysia’s agricultural sector over the past five decades will be showcased at the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNK), to be held from tomorrow until Aug 3 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), from 9 am to 10 pm.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak said the agriculture sector should no longer be viewed as traditional, dirty, or high-risk, but rather as one driven by modern technologies such as drones, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart agriculture systems.

“We want to demonstrate the evolution of our agriculture, from its conservative, pre-independence roots to where we are today.

“The public needs to see that agriculture is not a trivial sector nor one that fails to generate income for farmers, but as a sector that has transformed from traditional and conservative to modern,” he said in a special interview on HPPNK 2025 recently.

With the theme ‘Kudrat Kami Menjamin Pertiwi’ (Our Strength Secures the Nation), Isham said the 50th edition of HPPNK highlights the comprehensive transformation of the agriculture sector, from conservative practices to modern solutions. This is to showcase that agriculture can be a high-income sector, and not merely a last resort career.

“Now, many of our farmers, breeders, and fishermen are ageing, and the adoption of new technology among them is relatively slow. That’s why we want to encourage more youths to get involved in agriculture,” he said.

To attract youth participation and dispel the perception that agriculture is unappealing and uncompetitive, Isham said HPPNK 2025 will feature e-sports activities, a farmers’ kitchen showcasing Sabah’s unique cuisine using local produce, and Agrobelia, a youth agro exhibition.

“Technologies like IoT will draw the young generation to join this sector. With IoT, one can manage one’s farm using mobile phones,” he said.

HPPNK 2025, which is expected to draw 500,000 visitors, will be anchored by four key components. They are Agro Millenia, Cukup dan Terjamin (Secure and Sufficient), Sejahtera MADANI, and Agro MADANI sales.

Farmers and agropreneurs will also be exposed to value-adding technologies such as canning of agricultural produce, jam-making, and production of ready-to-eat food.

“Actually, the quality of our food is quite good, and they are popular because we produce many halal products. The demand for halal products is also increasingly growing. What we need to do is find ways to focus our efforts on producing a wider variety of products based on the agro-food industry,” he said.

HPPNK 2025 will also feature an exhibition on the use of robotics and drone technology in the agriculture sector, which can reduce farmers’ dependence on foreign labour.

“Innovations such as the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) and e-floc technology (pond water treatment method using electric current to gather and remove suspended particles) will be showcased to help fishermen increase their catch and lower operational costs,” he said.

Visitors will be able to see and experience these technologies firsthand through simulations provided by KPKM’s strategic partners and participating exhibitors, including a simulation of a GPS-guided harvester.

Isham added that HPPNK 2025 also focuses on the concept of circular economy and the sustainability of the nation’s food resources.

He said the circular economy concept enables agricultural waste to be repurposed into fertiliser, animal feed, or new sources of income, such as bird’s nest farming and composting.

Another major highlight is the ASEAN Farmers Village, a regional initiative that brings together ASEAN member countries.

“So far, Indonesia and Thailand have confirmed their participation and will showcase their agricultural technologies and produce from their respective countries,” he said, adding that their participation will also strengthen regional agro-cooperation.

-- BERNAMA