Agro-Commodity Sector Faces Challenges In Attracting Youth -- Noraini
BANGI, May 7 (Bernama) -- The country's agribusiness sector is facing challenges in attracting the interest and participation of the younger generation in exploring opportunities in the industry, said Minister of Plantation and Commodities Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
She said the younger generation still lacks confidence that the sector can provide a bright and modern future, as well as a quality lifestyle.
"The agro-commodity sector has great potential to provide sustainable and stable employment opportunities for Malaysians, especially the youth.
"In fact, downstream industries based on palm oil, rubber, cocoa and timber are now rapidly expanding into the fields of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, premium food, biomaterials and green energy," she said in her speech at the launch of the Agrikomoditi Squad of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities (KPK) here today.
Elaborating further, Noraini said the agro-commodity sector is no longer solely focused on producing raw materials, but has evolved into a high-value economic sector capable of offering better incomes and long-term career prospects for young people.
"We do not want the younger generation to become merely job seekers. We want them to become industry leaders, technology creators and agribusiness entrepreneurs capable of competing on the world stage.
"So, we can no longer operate as usual. We need to be faster, smarter and bolder in driving change," she said.
Recognising the challenge, Noraini said the government is taking steps to strengthen the collaborative ecosystem between the agro-commodity industry, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and higher education institutions to meet the current industry demands.
She noted that TVET is the main pathway to high-income professional careers in the agro-commodity sector, while also serving as a bridge connecting young people to opportunities in automation, green technology, drone engineering, smart machinery and modern food processing.
"Our dream is for young people to no longer feel compelled to leave their hometowns, but instead return to develop rural economies with new knowledge, skills and technology.
"In line with this aspiration, the government is also expanding upskilling and reskilling initiatives through more flexible, fast-tracked and industry-driven micro-credential programmes," she explained.
Commenting on the KPK Agrikomoditi Squad launched by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Noraini said it would serve as the main driver of advocacy efforts to empower the country's agro-commodity sector.
She noted that one of the squad's main roles is to act as an agent of digital transformation by introducing new technologies, serving as ambassadors in explaining Malaysia's commitment to sustainable practices, and helping smallholders produce high-value downstream products.
"This squad will play an important role in connecting smallholders with research and development (R&D) experts and industry players so that the potential of these natural resources can be enhanced into high-value downstream products," she added.
-- BERNAMA