VAE 2021 Boosts Agrofood Industry In The New Normal

The Inauguration Ceremony of the Virtual Agrotechnology Extension 2021 (VAE 2021) organised by the Department of Agriculture Malaysia was finalised virtually on September 14 with the presence of YB Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry.

The VAE 2021 program is a state-of-the-art agricultural technology development program designed specifically to boost the country’s agro-food industry under the new normal.

Through the VAE 2021, participants get the opportunity to share and learn about the best agricultural technology expertise practised by the world’s leading agricultural companies.

The program also encourages the involvement of industry players under the crop sub-sector to explore business opportunities under the contractual farming programme through business matching activities with agricultural producers for the domestic and export markets.

In addition, the VAE 2021 program can also help MAFI to expand and strengthen the marketing of agricultural products through e-commerce platforms while enhancing the marketability and availability of agricultural products for domestic and international markets.

According to Dr Ronald, VAE 2021 is in line with the policies and efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) that place special emphasis on modernisation strategies and smart agriculture through the formulation of the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0) which will be launched in the near future. At the same time, efforts to drive modernisation in agro-food are in line with national aspirations towards revolutionising Industry 4.0 in the national economic sector.

In his inaugural speech, Dr Ronald said that the agro-food sector contributed 6.8% to RM51.3 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020, showing an increase of growth rate compared to RM28.3 billion in 2011. Meanwhile, the crop sub-sector remained the main contributor at RM24.1 billion compared to other sub-sectors under the agro-food sector.

He explained that productivity and agricultural yields will be further enhanced through the use of smart agricultural technologies such as precision farming, internet of things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and drones for mapping activities, seed distribution, pesticide spraying and fertilizer. The use of technology can contribute to improving the quality and quantity of crop yields which in turn can increase overall productivity.

He added that the focus will also be on improving the technical competencies of extension officers to be able to transfer technology to food producers and provide a conducive environment for technology adoption by the target group through financial facilities, product digitization and e-commerce market access.

This move is in line with the main goal of MAFI and the Department of Agriculture to make the agro-food sector a sustainable, resilient and high-tech industry that can drive economic growth and improve the well-being of the people as well as prioritize food security and nutrition.

Since 2018, the implementation of their rejuvenation program by the Department of Agriculture has successfully achieved a contract value of agricultural products exceeding RM 10 million and this value is expected to grow as a result of VAE 2021 this time, especially through cooperation and concerted efforts by all parties, especially in the agro-food sector, departments and agencies under MAFI.

To ensure more users could access the information and technology presented in this webinar, the program will be broadcasted for 30 days on the program’s official website, www.vae2021.com. The program is also available on all social media platforms of the Department of Agriculture, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube TV Pertanian.

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