PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has advised farmers to change their mindset and venture into large-scale mixed farming.
By doing so, they would have bigger capital and be able to hire professionals to manage their estates so that they could reap higher returns, and free themselves from the clutches of poverty, he said.
Dr Mahathir took a swipe at Felda landowners who decided to do things on their own, rather than join forces to work their land togeher.
“The government’s original plan was for settlers who own 10 acres (4.05ha) each to combine with others and run it like a big estate.
“But, this was not practised. Instead, each settler manages his smaller scale estate individually.
“This is inefficient and does not give them access to bigger capital.
“You must have (big) capital to manage an estate.
“As a result, these settlers can only enjoy smaller earnings.”
Dr Mahathir said by integrating their land and managing it as one big estate, Felda settlers could make more money.
“We have to change because the whole environment has changed,” he said after the launch of the Rural Development Policy here.
Dr Mahathir said the government would likely identify several agriculture areas that could be combined into a big estate and managed like one.
“It can be a model for others to emulate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rural Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun said the newly-launched policy would provide direction for development in rural areas.
“The policy has 10 thrusts and 88 strategies which will be executed until 2030.
“The ministry hopes this policy will be a main source of reference for the country’s policymakers and other ministries, departments and state governments when they put together new policies.”
The 10 thrusts include a competitive and sustainable economy; quality human capital; complete and advanced infrastructure; effective delivery system as well as administration, and sustainable biodiversity and environment.