Azmin: Govt to focus on smart agriculture

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will adjust its economic direction to improve the agriculture sector as it steps into a new era of growth, Datuk Seri Azmin Ali told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The Economic Affairs Minister, who is part of the Malaysian delegation to the 74th session of the UNGA in New York, said the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has opened up new opportunities for Malaysia to launch the economy into a new era of growth.

He made the remarks during a panel at a side event on “Environmental Stewardship in Addressing Poverty to Achieve Sustainable Development For All” on the margins of the UNGA on Thursday (Sept 26).

“Today, the Malaysian Government will undertake a structural recalibration in its economic direction to give greater focus towards enhancing the agriculture sector while maintaining our momentum in the industrial sector,” he said in a series of tweets about his speech.

Azmin added that the government wants to unlock the immense potential for growth in the agriculture sector.

“The agriculture sector can be enhanced with smart farming and precision agriculture that necessitate developing high-skill human capital for high-income jobs,” he said.

“This ensures high productivity, resulting in higher income to farmers and uplifting their socioeconomic conditions,” he added.

Azmin also posted a photo of him sharing the stage with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan as the two heads of state delivered their remarks on addressing poverty to achieve sustainable development.

“Both countries have come a long way in terms of socioeconomic developments,” he said.

Source: TheStar