By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 16: The International Conference on Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Sarawak 2018 (ICAAS 2018) is expected to attract 1,500 delegates from the local and international agriculture and agribusiness sector.
It will be held from Oct 23 to 24 alongside the inaugural Sarawak AgroFest 2018, which will run from Oct 20 to 28 at the Penview Convention Centre (PCC) in Demak here.
Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn said in line with the economic transformation initiatives of the state government, there was a need to identify effective policies, development strategies and approaches as well as innovative business models that could significantly boost the growth of the agriculture sector.
“As such, the international conference is indeed a fitting platform to share knowledge and experience on new approaches and mechanisms that have been proven successful in other parts of Malaysia and in other countries and that can be adopted in the state,” said Roland who represented Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas at a press conference in Imperial Hotel here today.
The ICAAS 2018, he continued, aimed to share smart and modern agriculture, identify best practices and models for public-private sector partnership in commercialising agriculture and also to promote successful community-based agriculture enterprises.
Themed ‘Transforming the agriculture sector through smart farming’, he said it reflected the government’s efforts to further accelerate the adoption of digital technology in line with the state government’s direction towards a digital economy.
“As Sarawak aims to be the net exporter of food products by 2030, Sarawak will leverage on modern technology to rapidly transform the agriculture sector.
“This calls for a paradigm shift among all stakeholders in the agriculture industry to emphasise on the utilisation of modern technology for the development of sustainable and competitive agriculture,” he added.
About 30 speakers from throughout Malaysia as well as Australia, Thailand and Indonesia are expected to share ideas on precision farming, investment incentives for commercialisation, best practices and models for public-private sector partnership and business models of farmers’ organisation.
The conference will highlight current issues, challenges, trends, opportunities and the way forward in agriculture and agro-based industry in Sarawak.
Registration fee is RM200 per person. For those who are interested to sign up for ICAAS, contact SDI at 082-415484 or 416484. With 1,100 registered participants confirmed, there are still 400 seats available.
For those interested to participate in the conference and exhibition, kindly visit the ICAAS 2018 at www.sarawakagrofest.com.my.
Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development (Manred) Datu Ik Pahon, its head of Commercialisation of Agriculture Division Dr Gluma Saban, Department of Agriculture acting director Dr Alvin Chai, Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak acting deputy director Dr Sajem Jinim and Sarawak Development Institute chief executive officer (CEO) Lelia Sim were among those present. — DayakDaily
