SERDANG: This year’s Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture & Agrotourism (MAHA) exhibition is aimed at boosting the participation of young entrepreneurs in agriculture.
Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) director-general Datuk Dr Sharif Haron said the bi-annual national agricultural exhibition introduced “Agro Youth” as its new focus to encourage and motivate youths and future entrepreneurs.
“Among agricultural entrepreneurs in the country, only 15 per cent are youths,” he said.
Sharif said lack of interest in the industry among the youth, shortage of funds, land, and limited marketing strategies contributed to low participation.
“The mentality of young people who describe agricultural activities as ‘dirty work’ is also one factor.”
He said MAHA 2014 was the government’s initiatives to encourage young entrepreneurs to look into agro-tourism.
“Some graduates in the field have brilliant ideas. However, they do not know how to turn their knowledge into profit.
“We hope that this year’s exhibition will be a platform to learn to be successful entrepreneurs,” he said at the launch of Maeps Agrotourism park, held in conjunction with MAHA 2014 here recently.
More than 1,000 local and international entrepreneurs are participating in the exhibition with the theme “Agrotechnology — Catalyst For Transformation”, which ends on Nov 30. The organisers are targeting 3.5 million visitors.
Besides Agro Youth, MAHA 2014 is also focusing on Farmers, Livestock Producers and Fishermen’s Day (HPPNK), Malaysian Agricultural Innovation Challenges (Magic), Agro Trade, Agro Based Industry, Agro Food Industry, Agro Tourism and Agro Lifestyle. By Balqis Nasir