Youths urged: Heed CM’s call to go into agri-food

KOTA KINABALU: Greater participation by youths in the agri-food industry is needed to ensure Sabah’s agricultural sector continues to grow as a business industry capable of generating new wealth and employment opportunities.

Sabah Farmers’ Organisation (PPNS) chairman Datuk Mohd Nazri Abdullah said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor’s call for more youths to venture into the industry deserved the attention and support of all parties.

He said the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors had significant potential to become new sources of economic growth, particularly for young people looking to build careers and establish their own businesses.

“The perception that agriculture relies solely on traditional methods needs to change. The industry has vast opportunities to grow into a modern, productive business sector capable of generating economic returns.

“The involvement of young people is crucial to ensuring that the agri-food sector has a new workforce capable of bringing fresh ideas, innovation and approaches to the industry,” he said.

Nazri said this after leading a delegation of PPNS board members on a courtesy call on the Chief Minister at Menara Kinabalu here, Tuesday.

He said efforts to attract young people to the industry must be accompanied by exposure, skills training and opportunities for them to participate directly in agricultural, livestock and fisheries activities.

He added that the development of the agri-food industry should also focus on producing value-added products, including processing and marketing activities, to create wider business opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Nazri also welcomed the Chief Minister’s emphasis on transforming the agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors from traditional practices to more modern, efficient and market-oriented production systems.

He said such efforts were important to ensure Sabah’s agri-food sector remained competitive and capable of meeting demand in both local and wider markets.

He said PPNS supported the State government’s direction to strengthen agriculture as one of the key drivers of Sabah’s economic growth under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 development agenda for 2026 to 2030.

Nazri said the courtesy call also aimed to introduce the PPNS leadership to the Chief Minister.

During the meeting, PPNS also sought the Chief Minister’s support for farmers aged 70 and above who remained shareholders of Area Farmers’ Organisations (PPK) to be allowed to contest and hold positions in PPKs or the State Farmers’ Organisation (PPN).

“This would enable them to continue contributing their experience to the leadership of the farmers’ movement,” he said.