Melaka: The Melaka government will implement a comprehensive agricultural transformation to reduce its reliance on senior citizens in the sector and encourage more youth participation. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh stated that the 2024 Melaka Agricultural Census Interim Report found that only 1,316 youths, or 10.1 percent, are involved in agriculture, while over half of the state's agricultural operators are aged 60 and above.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ab Rauf highlighted the serious challenge of an aging agricultural population and emphasized the state government's commitment to introducing a new transformation. This initiative aims to ensure that farming becomes a career that can and should be passed down to future generations. Ab Rauf made these remarks at the launch of the interim report, where Chief Statistician and 2024 Agricultural Census commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin was also present.

Ab Rauf noted that expanding the use of modern technology in large-scale farming is a key strategy to attract more young people into the sector, which generated a total sales value of RM3.6 billion. He mentioned that access to grants, modern training, and market opportunities will be expanded for youth. These initiatives aim to shift perceptions of agriculture from a traditional occupation to a lucrative and professional career path.

Additionally, Ab Rauf stated that the state government is focusing on strengthening land centralisation to help smallholders benefit from economies of scale. Melaka has 77,900 hectares of cultivated land, with 24,000 hectares under individual ownership and 53,400 hectares under organizations. He noted that many individual farmers operate on small plots, limiting their productivity and income. This situation calls for a more efficient land centralisation policy, adoption of smart technologies, and collaborative models to enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.