Zahari tapping a rubber tree to launch the Johor Pavilion at Maha 2024 in Serdang, Selangor.
THE Johor government witnessed the signing of seven memoranda of understanding (MOU) between state government agencies and agricultural industry players worth RM83.3mil.
Johor agriculture, agro-based industry and rural committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the MOUs were signed during the opening ceremony of Johor Pavilion at the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism (Maha) exhibition 2024 which took place from Sept 11 to 22 in Serdang, Selangor.
“Seven MOUs under the Johor Food Security Strategic Collaboration Programme, worth RM83.3mil, were signed.
“The collaboration involves 48 parties, including government departments and agencies, public universities, research institutes, leading companies, contract farmers and associations.
“These agreements encompass strategic cooperation in agri-food crop development projects, agro-based industries as well as product quality enhancement, expertise and technology sharing,” he said in a statement.
Zahari added that the collaboration also included the development of collection, processing, packaging and distribution centres, contract farmer financing programmes, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification and other initiatives.
“This strategic partnership is also part of efforts to strengthen the public-private partnership approach in the development of the agri-food sector in Johor,” he said.
Some of the state government agencies involved were Johor Agriculture Department, state Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), Segamat District Office and Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board.
Zahari said this year’s Johor Pavilion at Maha 2024 highlighted smart farming technologies which had become a central focus in the development of the nation’s agri-food sector.
“The Johor Pavilion showcased a wide array of innovations and smart agriculture practices, aligning with efforts to ensure the sector continues to thrive and remain competitive,” he said.
Throughout the duration of Maha 2024, the Johor Pavilion hosted exhibitions by 18 departments and agencies as well as food and agro-based products from 16 entrepreneurs.
There were also podcast sessions with successful business owners and entrepreneurs, cultural performances and competitions.
