Agro-Food Subsector are urged to engage and participate in adoption of technological upgrades and modern farming techniques as a solution to the shortage of 40 per cent labours in the agro-food subsector, particularly in Cameron Highlands.
The Agro-Food Productivity Nexus (AFPN) and Electrical & Electronics Productivity Nexus (EEPN) with supports of Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) will introduce a potential automation programme to ensure productivity within the agro-food subsector, particularly among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to remain consistent during the pandemic.
Director General of MPC, Datuk Abdul Latif Haji Abu Seman said, providing an effective strategy to maximise the productivity rate within the agro-food subsector will help the industry to sustain in future.
“Since the first Movement Control Order (MCO) was imposed in March 2020, there has been a reduction of at least 30 to 40 per cent of both foreign and domestic workers due to zero replacements, making this a critical issue of future productivity for Cameron Highlands. Should this problem persist by 2025, it is predicted that it will produce a negative effect and will drag down the industry.
“As a solution AFPN has taken the initiative to introduce a potential automation programme for the agro-food subsector.
“This programme includes a variety of technological solutions to aid majority of tasks needed to be done in the farming activities while combating the shortage of both foreign and local workers,” he said.
He added, AFPN will also organise a Hackathon two months from now, in collaboration with the other Productivity Nexus partners such as EEPN, Machinery & Equipment, Digital, and Chemical.
The programme will also invite relevant parties to participate in this technological idea-storming event for generating solutions to aid the technological resource and implementation.
-NIAGATIMES
