Latest news with #PlantationandConsumerAffairsCommittee
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Youth involvement in Perlis agricultural sector too low
KANGAR: The involvement of young people in the agricultural sector in Perlis is still very low, raising concerns about the sustainability of the sector in the future, said Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin. Mohd Uzir said that based on the findings of the 2024 Agricultural Census in the state, only 399 young people, aged between 15 and 30, are involved in the agricultural sector in Perlis out of a total of 18,839 individuals recorded participating in the sector in the state. 'This is a reality that we need to accept. Indeed, the number of youth involved in agriculture is very low compared to those who are older. But this sector still has great potential if we can attract more young people with the use of technology such as automation and drones,' he said. He said this to reporters after the launch of the 2024 Perlis Agricultural Census Interim Report here today. The launch was officiated by Perlis Agriculture, Plantation and Consumer Affairs Committee chariman Razali Saad. Mohd Uzir said that more detailed data from the agricultural census findings could help the state government and related agencies formulate policies, as well as appropriate incentives and more targeted programmes in efforts to address the challenge of attracting young people to the sector. He said that agricultural technology such as the use of drones, automation, and smart farming systems needs to be intensified to make the sector more appealing to the younger generation. Meanwhile, Razali said the agricultural sector in Perlis recorded a sales value of RM584.8 million in 2023, with the crop subsector being the largest contributor, recording a sales value of RM276.7 million, followed by the fisheries subsector (RM159.6 million), livestock (RM114.6 million) and aquaculture (RM6.6 million) among others. 'Of the total cultivated area of 58,500 hectares, 95.6 per cent is managed by individuals while the remainder is by corporate agricultural holdings,' he added.
Barnama
5 days ago
- General
- Barnama
40,000 Catfish Fish Fry Released In Timah Tasoh To Boost Recreational Fishing In Perlis
PADANG BESAR, June 26 (Bernama) -- A total of 40,000 baung (catfish) fish fry were released into the Timah Tasoh Freshwater Fish Sanctuary near here today, as part of ongoing initiatives to strengthen the recreational fishing sector and ensure sustainable resources in Perlis. Perlis Agriculture, Plantation and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Razali Saad said that apart from preserving local fishery resources, it is to add economic value for residents through recreational activities such as net-fishing and angling. "This initiative can become an attraction for anglers and outsiders who come here. Recreational activities can also boost income for the surrounding communities," he said at the fish fry release programme today. The initiative was officiated by Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli and also attended by Perlis Fisheries director Mohammed Roshaizat Mustaffa. Meanwhile, Razali said the state thanked the federal government for providing an additional allocation of RM2 million, bringing the total allocation to RM5.8 million for this year for the benefit of the agriculture sector in Perlis. Meanwhile, Roshaizat said the release of the baung fry maintains the native fish population in the area as well as rebalancing the ecosystem affected by the presence of invasive fish species. 'Among the invasive fish species identified as disrupting the ecosystem are peacock bass and humpback (bongkok) fish. These fish reproduce quickly and consume the eggs of local fish, negatively impacting the population of native fish such as baung, temperas and patong. 'We have also carried out awareness programmes with the community and university students to catch these invasive fishes, but the impact is still being monitored as the reproduction rate of these fishes is very fast,' he said. He also reminded the public not to arbitrarily release any fish species into rivers or lakes without permission from the Fisheries Department, as legal action could be taken according to the Perlis River Fisheries Rules in Perlis.
