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Last Updated: 06 December 2023

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PUTRAJAYA, Dec 5 — The agrotourism initiative, the improvement of mechanisation and automation skills and the cooperation of stakeholders in the agricommodity sector need to be intensified to ensure the sustainability of the sector in the face of uncertainties in the global market next year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Considering the agricommodity sector as the main pillar of the country’s economy, Fadillah who is also the Minister of Plantation and Commodities said Malaysia needs to maintain the momentum of the sector so that the commodities produced can compete in the global market.

"Our agency will focus on how we can improve research in addition to establishing collaboration with the industry or academics to produce new technology based on automation and mechanisation,” he said when officiating at the National Agricommodity Day celebration here today.

Giving examples of automation and mechanisation skills that can be highlighted such as the use of drones and machines, Fadillah said it would also indirectly reduce dependence on external labour as well as attract youths to be involved in the agricommodity industry.

"Competition is getting fiercer and we can no longer depend on external energy like Indonesia for example because they are also growing economically.

"Maybe getting skilled workers is a challenge for us, that’s why we have to be skilled in technology, mechanisation and automation,” he said.

He said the role of the Ministry of Plantation and Commodities is not only as a ‘regulator’ and ‘facilitator’ but has the main goal of ensuring the increase in productivity or yield in the agricommodity industry, while also contributing to their source of income.

He said the ministry also needs to help small farmers increase their income.

"But this will only succeed if we all increase our close cooperation because the ministry alone will not be able to implement or achieve our target to make this country a developed and prosperous country by producing high yield products, not only from downstream, but from upstream as well,” he said.

During the press conference after the National Agricommodity Day celebration, Fadillah said the agricommodity sector can also be developed into agrotourism where entrepreneurs can take the initiative to create tourism elements in their shops or gardens as tourist attractions.

Giving the example of Lee’s Cocoa Shop in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Fadillah said that in addition to growing cocoa, the entrepreneur also opened opportunities for many students and researchers to learn about the process of growing cocoa and chocolate production.

Along with the growth in the agricommodity sector, he said the development of the biomass industry, especially in the fields of farming and animal husbandry, will also be emphasised.

"We want to see how the materials and waste that are not used can be processed into animal feed or fertilisers or produce downstream products from these waste materials,” he said.

During the event, Fadillah also presented several awards to selected recipients from the palm, rubber, timber, cocoa, pepper and kenaf sectors in conjunction with agricommodity day, which was held for the first time, aimed at recognising and appreciating the services of Malaysians involved in developing the agricommodity sector at all levels.

Among the recipients of the award were Maggie Agam who received the Best Small Pepper Grower Award and Datuk Dr Freezailah Che Yeom who won the Timber and Forestry Industry Leadership Award.

The day is an initiative by the ministry in line with the Madani Economy in pursuing the aspirations of economic prosperity and people’s well-being through product development activities related to the agricommodity sector in order to remain progressive, sustainable, competitive and inclusive.

Among the activities organised by the ministry in conjunction with agricommodity day is the Agricommodity Walk which will be held this Saturday with a target of 2,000 participants walking five kilometres along the Perdana Promenade here. — Bernama

https://www.malaymail.com/amp/news/money/2023/12/05/cooperation-of-stakeholders-vital-for-sustainability-of-agricommodity-sector-says-dpm-fadillah/105934

Sumber : Malay Mail

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Last Updated: 05 December 2023

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KUCHING (Dec 4): The P194 Petra Jaya Golf Challenge Championship can be a good ground for the ‘young stars’ who exhibit great potential to represent Sarawak in future major events.

In stating this, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof says he has noticed a few young talents in the tournament, which has been held annually since 2008 and this year marks its 13th anniversary.

There was, however, no competition during the Covid-19 pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.

“To the talented young golfers participating in this tournament, I hope you would continue to shine and be able to engage sponsors who would support your golfing career.

“I believe there are sponsors out there who would want to help shine,” said the Petra Jaya MP in his speech for the prize-presentation ceremony at Sarawak Golf Club (KGS) here on Sunday.

This year, the championship offered a total of RM20,000 in cash prizes awaiting the top players.

For this edition, N8 Satok emerged the champion, with N6 Tupong and N7 Samariang coming as the respective runners-up.

According to Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, the teams represent the three State Legislative Assembly (DUN) areas under the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency.

“Each team consists of 40 players, of whom all are Petra Jaya parliamentary constituents.

“The categories are team, individual, invited guest, women’s invitational, and junior.

“The Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof Challenge Trophy is meant for the team event.

“For the individual events, the prizes are awarded to the top 12-nett scorers and six gross scorers, while for the invited guest and VIP events, the prizes are awarded to the best scorers who are assessed based on the ‘System 36’ formula.

“For the women’s invitational and junior categories, the prizes are awarded to three net scorers and two gross scorers of each event,” he explained.

Also present yesterday was Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, who is Samariang assemblywoman.

DUN Tupong area played host to this year’s championship, and next year, it would be DUN Samariang’s turn.

https://www.theborneopost.com/2023/12/04/dpm-fadillah-petra-jaya-challenge-a-good-ground-for-sarawaks-future-golf-stars/

Sumber : The Borneo Post

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Last Updated: 05 December 2023

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PUTRAJAYA, Dec 4 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof today received a courtesy call from his Timor-Leste counterpart, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, here to discuss bilateral tries between the countries.

Kalbuadi Lay arrived at Perdana Putra at 2pm and was greeted by Fadillah before the two leaders met for half an hour to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Also present was Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin.

The four-day working visit of Kalbuadi Lay to Malaysia which began yesterday is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between the countries and Malaysia expressed support towards the full membership of Timor-Leste in Asean.

In 2022, the total trade between Malaysia and Timor-Leste was RM384.48 million, which increased 93.3 per cent compared to RM194.09 million in 2021. — Bernama

https://www.malaymail.com/amp/news/malaysia/2023/12/04/dpm-fadillah-receives-courtesy-call-from-timor-leste-counterpart/105736

Sumber : Malay Mail

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Last Updated: 05 December 2023

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia cannot control rubber prices in the global market as it does not have the majority say, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof (pix) who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister.

Fadillah said the government is aware and concerned about the current instability of rubber prices.

“Intervention from the government to set or control (rubber) prices is minimal as Malaysia’s share of global rubber production is only an estimated three per cent.

“Therefore, the country is unable to control rubber prices,“ he told the Dewan Negara today in reply to a question from Senator Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya about the government’s plan to stabilise rubber prices, which has been unsettling smallholders.

Fadillah said various factors influence raw rubber prices, such as the performance of the rubber futures market, crude oil prices, foreign exchange rates and the economic growth of the major rubber importers and exporters.

He said, nevertheless, the government is working hard to help stabilise rubber prices through several initiatives.

Fadillah said among the measures taken is to foster cooperation with other rubber-producing countries, such as the International Tripartite Rubber Council framework and the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) to stabilise prices by managing supply and increasing the use of raw rubber among the producing countries.

He added that the government, via Budget 2024, has increased the price activation level for the rubber production incentive (IPG) to RM3.00 from RM2.70 a kilogramme with an allocation of RM400 million.

Fadillah said the government is also working on implementing a mechanism to increase plantation owners’ revenue by improving productivity and the rubber supply chain as well as the rubber business.

“This mechanism will be implemented using the latest technology and by increasing cooperation with industry players such as cooperatives, entrepreneurs and processing plants,“ he said.

Fadillah said that among the three main initiatives to improve the rubber sector is the Rubber Industry Transformation Project through clustering and value-adding activities for smallholders, the New Latex Production Incentive Model pilot project and a pilot project using gas stimulants for rubber production using technology developed by the Malaysian Rubber Board.

“These mechanisms are designed to increase rubber production and the value-add of rubber (products) to contribute to raising the income of smallholders,“ he added. -Bernama

https://thesun.my/local_news/fadillah-malaysia-can-t-control-global-rubber-prices-BK11827633

Sumber : The Sun Daily