Experts urge govt to introduce agriculture as educational curriculum

SHAH ALAM - Agricultural education must be introduced as part of the learning syllabus so that younger generations will know of its importance, thus choosing it as a prospective career path in the future.

Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association of Malaysia president Ng Tien Khuan said the government must find ways to instil agricultural interest among students through education.

"Interest in agriculture should start from school.

"Children these days are not exposed to agriculture which makes them not want to choose the field as a major after they graduate.

"Moreover, children and youths were taught by their elders “don't go to the farm, go and work in the city”. But perhaps things have changed since then,” he told Sinar Daily.

Asked about what could be done to ensure that youths were keen in learning agriculture and farming, Ng said the government could encourage students to choose agriculture as their course during their internship.

He also said the government should give incentives for the purchase of machinery for farming.

"The government can give incentives to buy the machinery for farming, since most of farm works these days involve machines.

"In some way, youths will have more interest to venture into this field, otherwise it will be a slow handwork and youths won't be interested.

“The government should have agricultural courses, they can also encourage students or youths to do their internship in agriculture or farming," he said.

Meanwhile, Professor Dr Denny KS Ng from Heriot-Watt University said it was crucial to improve the lifestyle in the agricultural sector mainly in outskirt areas.

He said incentives should be given to kickstart the process of enhancing the industry to transform and incentivise youths to apply their knowledge in the industry.

“Most of the personnel and operators in the agricultural sector are getting older.

"In order to increase the interest of youths on agriculture and farming, it is important to improve the lifestyle in the agricultural sector, which is normally located in outskirt areas.

"Besides, applying advanced technology in the industry to replace human labour is also needed," he said adding that it was important to create interest and sustainable development in the agriculture industry.

Denny said the government should prioritise the contribution and importance of agriculture towards the national food security.

"Therefore, we need to educate and change the perception of the younger generation towards the status in the society where they think agriculture is for students who are not good in their studies," he said.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Laboratory Agricultural and Food Policy Studies research fellow Professor Fatimah Mohamed Arshad said in order to attract youths into agriculture, the government should broaden the scope of agriculture.

She said agriculture was an art and science of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock.

It included the preparation of plants and animal products for people to use and distribution to the market, she added.

"The government must focus on the production, but the scope also include input and agribusiness (fertiliser machines, pesticides among others).

"Next, the government can provide micro-credit to young entrepreneurs as well as incentives and programmes.

"The government can also conduct youth exchange programmes with countries which are successful in agriculture like Taiwan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam," she said.