Perak: Perak's agriculture sector requires immediate revitalization to ensure its future sustainability, as only 23.4 per cent of individual agricultural holders in the state are aged between 15 and 45. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad emphasized the need for rejuvenation during the opening of the Peladang Agro Perak Carnival (PAKAR) 2026.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 2024 Agricultural Census reveals that 46.6 per cent of Perak's 104,878 individual agricultural holdings are owned by those aged 60 and above, while 30 per cent are held by individuals between 46 and 59. Saarani stated that these figures underscore the necessity for a more comprehensive approach to attract younger generations to agriculture. He highlighted that youth engagement requires more than just campaigns or slogans; it necessitates providing a clear business path, accessible land and financing, technical support, modern technology, and a market offering fair returns.
Saarani's speech, delivered by Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, Chairman of the State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee, stressed the critical role of revitalizing the sector not only for food production but as a major economic pillar that generates employment, boosts local commerce, and supports the processing industry. The agriculture sector contributed 13.6 per cent to Perak's economy in 2025, driven by growth in the crops and livestock sub-sectors.
The 2024 Agricultural Census also recorded 107,474 agricultural holdings in Perak, with sales value reaching nearly RM16 billion in 2023, proving that agriculture is not merely a side activity. Saarani affirmed that the state government will continue to prioritize productivity, technology, infrastructure, value chains, downstream industries, marketing, and human capital development to fortify the agricultural sector.
He emphasized that the Perak State Farmers' Organisation and the Farmers' Organisation Authority should extend their roles beyond supplying inputs or managing programs. They should lead efforts in collection, demand-driven production planning, processing, distribution, branding, and marketing. PAKAR 2026, held in Bagan Serai for the 54th Farmers' Day, aims to connect Perak's agro products, technology, and entrepreneurs to broader markets through the Road to MAHA 2026 initiative. The Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 is scheduled from Aug 28 to Sept 6 at the Malaysia Agricultural Expo Park in Serdang, Selangor, under the theme "Value Creation for Food Security."