TELUPID: State Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry urged all department staff and agencies under his ministry to be more active in the field
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Datuk Jamawi Jaffar said at least 60 per cent of working time should be spent on the ground to monitor, identify needs and resolve farmers’ problems.
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“The Department of Agriculture, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) and the Rural Development Cooperative (KPD) must also station officers in padi cultivation areas to enable direct interaction with farmers.
“This is important to ensure every issue can be addressed more quickly and effectively, while demonstrating the ministry’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of farmers throughout the state.
“Within two months, I will return to this area to assess the progress of priority facilities slated for repair and maintenance,” he said when meeting farmers in Trusan Sapi.
He also recommended the use of pesticides advised by the Department of Agriculture, the selection of suitable padi seed varieties, and the construction and maintenance of more efficient drainage systems to improve agricultural yields.
During the visit, Jamawi received a briefing from Desa Padi Plantation Sdn Bhd Director Datuk Yap Yun Fook.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Leonard Stephen Poyong, Padi and Rice Board (LPBS) General Manager Datuk Madiyem Layapan, KPD General Manager Jailis Masarip, as well as several officers from MAFFI, JPS, KPD and LPBS.
