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Tawau: Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail said the time has come for local bumiputera entrepreneurs to consider venturing into agro-based downstream processing.This would mean more courses to expose farmers on the prospects of becoming agro-based entrepreneurs, better factory management practices and general cleanliness and safety under the Hazard Analysis Critical Points (HACCP), he said.

These should also include proper packaging and labelling, he said while opening a two-day 6th Farming Entrepreneurs Seminar at a hotel here on Wednesday, in an address delivered by his Assistant Minister Japlin Akim.

In this respect, Rahim said there should be more aggressive approaches towards achieving the objectives of the 3rd National Agriculture Policy and 2nd State Agriculture Policy by the year 2010.

Thus, the 9th Malaysia Plan (beginning next year until 2010) should be able to help local entrepreneurs achieve the Government's aspiration, he added.

He expressed optimism that such courses would generate sufficient interest among local farmers to become entrepreneurs within a short period.

Also present were Tawau Municipal Council Deputy President Ismail Mayacub, District Agriculture Officer Dr Abdul Rahim Awang and District Veterinary Officer Dr Lim Khun.