KUALA LUMPUR: There are more than 103,000ha of abandoned agricultural lands nationwide, says Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
The Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the 46,382 lots in the peninsular, including the Federal Territory of Labuan, are privately owned.
"Based on records from the Department of Agriculture, a total area of 103,563ha of idle privately owned land has been identified.
"Out of this total, 89,464.35ha are dry land while 14,098.26ha are paddy fields," he said in reply to Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) during the questions time in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 20).
Rosol had asked about the total area of abandoned agricultural lands nationwide and the ministry's plans to use these abandoned lands to strengthen the country's food security.
Kurup said the ministry had proposed initiatives between the federal and state governments to address the matter during the 139th Meeting of Chief Ministers.
The Ministry has also offered incentives to parties interested in developing idle or potential land through programmes, he added.
Kurup said that the ministry has identified several agricultural and livestock activities in the latest initiative, mainly focusing on increasing the production of grains, cash crops including onions, chilli, ginger, melon, dairy and beef cattle farming, as well as aquaculture products.
To an additional question, Kurup said the information and figures were updated as of 2019, and a land survey is due this year.
"We conduct a survey every five years. Abandoned land is land that has not been used for three years.
"It is up to the private owners to decide what they want to do with their land, while it will be up to the state or federal government when it comes to state or federal land."
Riduan Rubin (IND-Tenom) said the younger generation's resistance towards 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs was why they shun agricultural endeavours and asked how the ministry would resolve this.
Kurup said the issue of ageing farmers affects most countries globally but believed it could be resolved by implementing modern farming techniques, utilising technology and innovation, and increasing income-generating opportunities in agriculture.
"The Ministry has implemented various measures to encourage young individuals and enhance existing opportunities through targeted exposure.
"For example, the Young Agropreneur programme aims to assist the younger generation in venturing into agriculture and farming.
“We also have 15 certified centres nationwide that offer training programmes on farming methodologies using technology.
"Lastly, we offer short-term courses for upskilling and reskilling in modern farming through various government departments and agencies," he said.
