I REFER to the article regarding the launch of The Valley development project in Bentong, Pahang, by Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok on March 14.
Maybe our minister should take a leaf out of the developer’s book by converting government-linked companies’ land banks or plantations into homesteads for lease, for rent or for sale to landless Malaysians at an affordable price. This is especially so for those in the B40 group.
I believe that those in the B40 group want to uplift themselves.
It is time that the government took back land that was taken by those in the previous administration.
Redistribution of land to landless farmers and citizens should be the order of the day.
I would not be surprised if you see enterprising Malaysians turning homesteads into farmlands, producing food to feed the nation at an affordable price.
The expensive food that you buy in markets has, in most cases, nothing to do with farmers.
It has a lot to do with middlemen making big bucks.
Having more of these homesteads will boost our nation’s food security.
Given the chance to prove ourselves and the availability of land for food production, I believe we can be self-sufficient rather than being a net importer of food.
It’s a good idea to bring the family together at these homesteads, teaching our young to appreciate nature and train them to be responsible and productive farmers.
FUN CHEE CHONG
Kulai, Johor