KANGAR : RAJA of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail has advised farmers, breeders and fishermen to make full use of Federal and state government aids to increase production and improve their socio-economic status at the same time.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin told them to adopt best practices and work ethics, use new technologies, make optimal use of land, market network install proper infrastructure and ultimately, deliver high-value products.
"We need to look at ways to inject greater dynamism and freshness into the growth and image of the agriculture sector.
"For example, in terms of technology, farmers can use seedlings developed through research and development (R&D) by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) and other agencies, while fishermen can also use new technology to increase fish landings. This will maximise their yields," he said in his speech at the state-level Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day, here yesterday.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin also urged farmers to discard the simple "plant, leave and reap" mentality.
"Success will not come to us if we sit and do nothing. We will have to find ways to ensure we are successful.
"Currently, one hectare can yield about four tonnes of padi but with high-quality hybrid padi species, the farmers can produce up to three times that," said Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
He said the respective government agencies should also have their staff observe, help and advise the farmers, breeders and fishermen so that they can enjoy better earnings, which is in accordance with the vision of Perlis becoming a developed state by 2015.
Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu, in his speech said more than RM6.9 million had been allocated this year for agricultural development projects in the state, which will also contribute towards a higher income for farmers.
In the fishery sector, the state government and Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (LKIM) were working together to build a fish landing complex in Kuala Perlis -- a project that will at the same time turn the fishing village into an international fish landing port known as Kuala Perlis Maritime City.
Isa said the state government planned to increase the land for padi planting by 1,250ha to 12,250ha by 2020 and had last year invested more than RM4.3 million in building the infrastructure for the sector.
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