Students from Sabah sent overseas to learn Japanese agricultural technology

BY: Patrick Beech

The youth in this country are still waiting for more policies that will facilitate and empower the younger generation.

In an effort to improve food security in Sabah, the state will be sending its people to Japan to learn agricultural technology.

Sabah deputy chief minister, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kittingan recently said the KPD-OISCA Youth Training Centre had so far, sent its outstanding students to OISCA Training Centers in Japan.

Another two students are expected to also leave for Japan this month.

Jeffrey, who is also state Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry minister, said the five are under the sponsorship of OISCA International Japan for advanced training for a period of up to three years.

"We know that agricultural technology in Japan is very advanced and I hope this opportunity is used as best as possible to build the country's knowledge and bring it back to Sabah for mutual benefit," he said, adding that in the past, agriculture was seen as a rough field of work.

However, he said now agriculture had become the basis of a sustainable economy, which could actually be a basis for people to get out of poverty and that of a profitable business.

"The need for skilled manpower in the field of agriculture today is seen as very important where the issue of food security is one of the main issues in the State of Sabah and Malaysia in general.

"As we know, the level of food sufficiency or rice SSL is still at a low level and needs to be increased from the current level of 22-23 to 60 per cent in 2030. Likewise the level of meat food production," he added.

Jeffrey had also earlier presented scrolls to graduates during KPD-OISCA Youth Training Center convocation at Lagud Seberang, Tenom.