SHAH ALAM, 13 Dec: The State Government expects to expand the Selangor Agro Fest by attracting more modern farmers from abroad to showcase their products.
Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that by expanding the programme, farmers or traders in this state can witness the extent of ability of businessmen from the country and abroad.
He said that the invitation would involve several countries including Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
“We will invite modern farmers from abroad so that we can open our eyes and our views on how the agricultural sector can continue and how to improve income,” he said after launching the 2012 Selangor Agro Fest (SAF 2012) which was held at the Melawati Stadium in Shah Alam, here.
Also present was the Agricultural Modernisation, Natural Resource Management and Entrepreneur Development Exco, Dr Yaakob Sapari; Acting Director of the state Department of Agriculture, Idrus Hamid and the Director of the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman.
Also enlivening the event were members of the State Executive Council, Assemblymen and Assemblywomen as well as Selangor Members of Parliament.
Abdul Khalid added that the State Government will also discuss with UPEN in collecting and reviewing all information relevant modern technology which is suitable to be used in the agricultural sector of the state.
“This is to further strengthen this sector so that Selangor will be a role model to other states in the effort to increase farmers profits and to boost the state’s economy as a benchmark of the successful implementation of the Selangor Modern Agriculture agenda,” he said.
At the event, the 2012 Selangor Agro Fest which will be held from December 11 to 16, targets sales revenues of more than RM1 million with the attendance of 500,000 visitors.
The event themed ‘Selangor, Driving Modern Agriculture’ has a total of 150 stalls comprising of new entrepreneurs and businesses, particularly in the areas of agriculture, agro-based industries (ISA) and small-medium industries (IKS) in efforts to expand their businesses.
The exhibition is a special event to celebrate the farming community while altogether promoting farming harvests as an effort to symbolise the Selangor State Government leaders’ attentiveness.
Earlier, Dr Yaacob said that the six-day program will feature various activities such as the agricultural fair, a ‘fun-fair’, cooking competitions, sporting events for the people, futsal matches, inaugural talks, stage performances, live stock exhibition and a petting zoo.
“Last year, this programme received overwhelming response from traders and visitors and to add to the variation this year, SAF 2012 has also worked with Tourism Selangor Sdn Bhd in inviting food entrepreneurs to sell food such as Kajang satay, ‘nasi ambeng’, ‘lontong’, ‘cendol’ and many others,” he said.
In the meantime, the Chief Minister also presented five awards to farming entrepreneurs from across Selangor. Among the categories was best Crop, Best Livestock, Best Aquaculture, Best Agro-Based Industry and the Sri Kandi Padi special award.