How will agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu aka Mat Sabu reverse the trend of ageing farmers and a disinterested youth who consider a career in agriculture as too many hours of hard work, for too little profit?

At the launch of the Malaysia Agricultural, Horticulture and Agrotourism (Maha) exhibition, which is planned for September, Mohamad was hopeful of securing over RM6 billion in agreements and direct sales.

He cited one of the aims of his ministry, which was to increase awareness on modern agriculture technology among farmers and entrepreneurs. He highlighted the use of smart agriculture, artificial intelligence and automation. He wanted modern techniques to be accepted by farmers and entrepreneurs.

Maha has bridged the gap between the rural and urban areas in Malaysia, and Mohamad praised its 100 years of innovation and resilience, including its promotion of sustainable practices.

Of particular interest was when Mohamad said Maha’s focus on food security might attract the younger generation’s participation.

So, how will he or his ministry make agriculture more attractive to our youth?

Those in the agriculture sector have voiced their problems. Ageing farmers claim that young people are not interested in agriculture. Many will have observed how their parents toil very hard, for minimal profit. The inclement weather does not help, nor does the severe change to the environment brought about by global warming.

The farmers’ children are not interested in continuing the family tradition and have moved to the bigger towns and cities in search of jobs. Does Mohamad and his officials have a strategy to lure them back? How will he change the narrative about a career in agriculture and how will he try to motivate the young to embrace farming?

With many having lost their jobs because of the pandemic, and many traditional jobs being in short supply, now may be the time to attract the youth to the agriculture sector.

Mohamad struck the right chord when he said the young should embrace technology, not just in production but also in marketing, processing and packaging. There’s nothing like modern technology to attract their interest.

He also spoke about food security being a global issue and that we could learn from the international participants.

In some communities, parents discourage their children from farming because they say it is a life of poverty and hardship. This is where Mohamad can influence younger Malaysians and change the narrative about agriculture.

He should engage farmers, parents, students and the local business community and cultivate their interest in agriculture. The needs and challenges of the padi farmer of Kedah, will be different from those of the vegetable growers up in the Cameron Highlands. The aquaculture owners in Taiping, and the fishermen on the east coast or in northern Perak face different challenges. The same applies to farmers and fishermen in East Malaysia. The organic farmer has stricter requirements than the ordinary farmer.

In some areas, like the interior, the lack of transportation links, infrastructure and storage facilities hinders advances in agriculture. The shortage of labour in some areas of agriculture inhibits progress. These are some of the areas Mohamad and his ministry will have to look into.

There are many other considerations, like access to land and funding. The young will have limited resources, so will financial help or incentives be available? Will those who apply for temporary operating licences to farm on government-owned land face difficulties like the durian and vegetable farmers in Pahang and Perak? Will the demands of big corporations take precedence over the individual farmer?

Getting the help of the education ministry to boost interest in agriculture with gardening as an after-school activity, or trips to established farms or establishments producing food, and promoting a healthy lifestyle may also generate interest.

Increasing awareness about modern agriculture technology is good, but the minister must also provide peer-to-peer learning and mentors so that the mindset of young potential farmers can be transformed to embrace agriculture.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.