SELANGOR: The Sabah State Farmers Organisation (PPNS) is stepping up efforts to empower the farming community and accelerate the transformation of Sabah’s agricultural sector through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Advance Retro Solution Sdn Bhd (ARS).
The strategic collaboration focuses on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), modern technology adoption, skills enhancement and strengthening the agriculture and agro-industry ecosystem in Sabah.
The signing ceremony, held at ARS headquarters in Selangor, also reflected PPNS’ commitment to exploring new approaches to human capital development, particularly among farmers, youths and communities involved in the agricultural sector.
The MoU was signed by PPNS Deputy Chairman Datuk Ng Loi Tect and PPNS Board Member Benny Franklin Hartheman, while ARS was represented by its Managing Director Datuk Peter Lai Kim Wa and Sales Director David Leow.
PPNS Chairman Datuk Mohd Nazri Abdullah and PPNS General Manager Ruddy Hasmawie Mohamad witnessed the ceremony.
The collaboration provides a platform for PPNS and ARS to explore programmes and projects that bring technology, skills training and competency development closer to farmers, youths and communities involved in Sabah’s agricultural sector.
Among the initiatives being considered is the proposed PPNS Agro–TVET Hub, an integrated platform for skills training, technology demonstration and transfer, competency development and industry-based innovation.
The hub is envisioned as an ecosystem connecting the modern agricultural technology value chain, ranging from on-farm technology, mechanisation and mobility to agro-processing and systems and equipment maintenance.
Five potential core areas have been identified: Smart Agriculture; Automotive and Green Mobility; Agricultural Mechanisation and Automation; Agro-Processing; and Industrial Maintenance.
The collaboration could also cover industry-based training, upskilling and reskilling programmes, Training of Trainers (ToT), training module development, technical workshops, technology demonstrations and entrepreneurship development.
The hands-on approach would enable participants not only to understand technology theoretically but also to gain practical experience in operating, maintaining and applying it in real-life environments.
The initiative is also expected to create more opportunities for Sabah’s younger generation to view agriculture as a modern career and entrepreneurship field increasingly driven by technology, automation, data and green mobility.
PPNS said the collaboration would help bridge the gap between industrial technological developments and TVET competency development while ensuring farming communities and youths have access to knowledge, skills and technology relevant to future industry needs.
By combining PPNS’ strengths in networking and developing farming communities in Sabah with ARS’ expertise in technology, TVET and industrial development, the collaboration could provide a model integrating skills, technology, productivity and entrepreneurship within a broader agricultural ecosystem.
“The PPNS Agro-TVET Hub is not merely a training centre, but has the potential to become a transformative platform connecting technology, industry and communities to drive the future of Sabah’s agriculture.”Following the signing, PPNS and ARS will continue discussions to identify priority areas, training and technology requirements, suitable locations and facilities, as well as an implementation model capable of delivering practical benefits to the target groups.
The MoU marks the beginning of a long-term strategic collaboration aimed at empowering farming communities, developing a new generation of skilled workers and accelerating Sabah’s transition towards a more modern, technology-driven, productive, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector.
