Shortage of young farmers, says Nafas
Published on: Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Penampang: The lack of young farmers in the Area Farmers Organisation (PPK) is an issue to be addressed, said National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) Board of Director, Datuk Zubir Zabidi.He said Tuesday, of the almost one million members of PPK nationwide, only a handful were those below the age of 40."Why are the young people not interested in farming? It could be because of the lack of exposure, many a time when these young people think of why they should become a member, they ask what do they get by being a member?
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"We are worried our farmers have no replacement, no young farmers to take over," he said when launching the 37th Penampang PPK Annual General Meeting (AGM).He said sees this as a major issue to be addressed and called for the support of all to bring more young farmers into the organisation.Zubir added that with the establishment of a farmer's university, which was a collaboration with Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UNiKL), this was to provide opportunities for the children of farmers to increase their knowledge.He said that as Chairman of the National Young Farmers, he would be carrying out activities to increase young farmers in PPK which include campaigns and incentives to PPK units which increases the most members.
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Meanwhile, Penampang PPK chairman, James Kenson said the marketing of Beras Nasional was the main contributor to the income of PPK adding he was grateful to the government for increasing the rice quota for Beras Nasional from 30 metric tonnes to 50 metric tonnes a month.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Kenson said in the district there are about 21 units with a membership of 2,360 and among the many activities carried out include rice marketing, rental of premises, distribution of rice fertiliser scheme, project machinery and mechanisms, agricultural input sales contract and project work to name a few.
