KUCHING, Dec 28: Sarawak Muslim youths are called upon to become agri-preneurs and to venture into the agri-based halal food production sector in view of the huge demand for halal products across the globe.
Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said there are 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide and estimations have shown that the global market demand for halal products and services in 2019 was valued at USD2 trillion.
Noting that Malaysia is currently heavily relying on imported agri-based products, he said more Sarawak youths are needed in the food production sector, especially in halal food to address unemployment and food security issues in the country.
“We want more youths and unemployed graduates to become agri-preneurs. They need to change their mindset, don’t just focus on becoming wage earners. They should open up their eyes to the enormous business potential in the food production sector.
“Medac (Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Co-operatives), via agencies such as Tekun and SME Corp, has already come up with various programmes and incentives, aimed at producing more agri-preneurs.
“In addition, we are also collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (Mafi) to further develop the country’s food production sector via modern farming,” he said in a statement yesterday.
With the right training and support from various agencies, particularly from the federal government, Wan Junaidi said he believed that Sarawak could strategically position itself as an international organic halal food producer.
“Sarawak is a huge state and its land is fertile.
“We hope the federal government can support us in our effort to position Sarawak as an international producer of organic halal food products, a more premium level in the entire food production chain,” he added. — DayakDaily
