Kuala lumpur: The FAMA Agropreneur Tour (FAT) programme implemented by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) since 2023 has served as an important platform to empower the young generation and ensure the sustainability of the country’s agri-food sector, which is currently facing a shortage of young talent.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, FAMA Deputy Director General (Food Security and Operations) Faisal Iswardi Ismail highlighted that youth participation in the agricultural sector remains low, with the majority of agro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia aged 60 and above, accounting for 45.3 percent as per the 2024 Agricultural Census Report of the Department of Statistics.
Faisal Iswardi emphasized the challenges posed by the aging demographic in agriculture, stating that FAMA is working through initiatives like the FAT and the Young Agropreneur Grant to cultivate young entrepreneurs who are resilient and capable of managing modern and innovative businesses. He expressed the desire for young individuals to perceive agriculture as a high-income professional career, highlighting the sector’s modernization through automation technology and the Internet of Things (IoT).
During the closing of a course on Product Cost Calculation and Management Techniques held in conjunction with the state-level 2025 FAT, Faisal Iswardi noted that a total of 24 FAT course series have been planned for this year, with Perlis being the 22nd location. The course includes collaborations with related agencies, such as the Ministry of Health for food labeling and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) for product sustainability and branding.
He further stated that from 2023 to date, 2,197 young entrepreneurs have been produced under the Young Agropreneur programme, involving a grant allocation of RM50,050,808.06. Through these efforts, FAMA hopes to attract more young individuals to the agro-food sector, enhancing the country’s food trade balance and tapping into the sector’s potential for both domestic and export markets.