In villages across Malaysia, the rhythm of rural life is still set by the seasons of rice cultivation. Fields stretching far and wide, the image of farmers bent under the sun, hands deep in muddy soil.
But this picture, while nostalgic, is no longer the full reality of agriculture today. Behind the traditional image lies a sector at the crossroads of change: powered by drones, shaped by artificial intelligence (AI) and waiting for the next generation to step in.
The question is, with Malaysia’s ageing population, who will continue this work to ensure that rice, the nation’s staple, remains abundant on every table?
Director of the Irrigation and Drainage Division (BPSP) at the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM), Ir Yuslina Mohd Sani, admits this is one of the greatest challenges.
“The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has been working hard to address the challenges of an ageing farming population. When we talk about ‘farmers’ or ‘agriculture,’ many students do not see the bigger picture.
“That is why I invited them to the 4th World Irrigation Forum (WIF4), to understand the reality. Because, many young people are reluctant to get involved because they associate farming with muddy fields and hard labour. But this perception is outdated.
“Today, farming is powered by modern technology, drones spray fertiliser, machines plough the land and new tools make the work more efficient,” Yuslina said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
To counter this perception, KPKM is pushing agricultural modernisation through dedicated training institutes like the National Agricultural Skills Training Program (PLKPK), where students and young entrepreneurs are offered specialised courses.
Yuslina emphasised that KPKM wanted to show them that farming is not about small, uncertain returns, but about potentially huge harvests worth tens of thousands of ringgit.
The government, through KPKM, is addressing these issues by providing training and modules for students and young entrepreneurs who want to explore opportunities in agriculture.
“The scope goes beyond rice and paddy, covering corn, chillies, vegetables, fisheries and livestock—with the hope of broadening the vision of agriculture as a modern, technology-driven industry rather than a fading tradition.
“Farming no longer means endless sweat and digging with a hoe; instead, modern technology can be applied even to paddy cultivation,” she explained.
This modernisation effort is tied to the theme of WIF4, “Is Irrigation a Sunset Industry?” a question often raised due to low youth participation in agriculture.
But Yuslina believes this notion must be challenged.
“Food security itself is a vast subject, but this forum focuses specifically on irrigation under the theme ‘Is Irrigation a Sunset Industry?’ The question arises because of the lack of youth involvement.
“However, we are beginning to see more young farmers and entrepreneurs showing interest, and that is what we want to highlight, to inspire more to follow,” she stressed.
WIF4, she added, is open not only to policymakers and industry players but also to students, who represent the future of agriculture in Malaysia.
For Yuslina, the presence of international experts at the forum is also crucial.
“We even invited international speakers to give fresh perspectives, showing young people that agriculture is innovative and exciting. In fact, AI is now being applied to farming methods, making the field even more advanced,” she shared.
Her message is clear: agriculture is not fading, nor is irrigation a “sunset industry.” Instead, it is evolving and it will always remain a necessity.
“In conclusion, irrigation and drainage will never fade away. Just as the sun sets only to rise again, irrigation and drainage will always remain essential.
“Because Malaysians will always need rice on their plates,” she affirmed.
As Malaysia faces both an ageing population and the challenge of securing its food supply for future generations, the transformation of agriculture into a modern, tech-driven sector could be the key to ensuring that the nation’s most important crop continues to thrive.