KUALA LUMPUR: A non-governmental organisation has proposed that the government introduce a long-term incentive plan to encourage more people to venture into the agriculture sector.
Malaysian Food Security and Sovereignty Forum coordinator Nurfitri Amir Muhammad said currently, incentives introduced for players in the agriculture sector were short term in nature.
"The government's incentives for the agriculture sector are not long-term, they are short-term. Those involved in the sector are barely able to break even."
Another factor turning people away from the sector was the high operating cost.
"Over the years, the operating cost in the sector has increased in contrast with the income, which has remained stagnant or fallen.
"The cost of seeds, rental for land, pesticide and herbicide have increased. The cost of pesticide and fertilisers have risen 200 per cent after the pandemic."
He said many people who own land were gravitating towards the commodities industry, such as palm oil plantation, due to aggressive promotions.
Other factors that drive people away from agriculture were risks from climate change uncertainty.
"Unpredictable weather poses a high risk and is a matter of concern for people venturing into the sector. Compounding the situation is the fact that it is difficult for banks to approve loans for people who wish to venture into growing certain types of crop."