SHAH ALAM, Sept 24 – Farmers’ and livestock breeders’ incomes should be among those targeted for increase under the national Budget 2027 so they can remain in the agricultural sector.
Agricultural expert Alias Saad said increasing production yields alone was insufficient if operating costs continued to rise and squeeze producers’ net income.
“Even if we succeed in boosting yields, and production costs remain high, the income of target groups such as farmers, planters, programme participants and livestock breeders will not see any meaningful impact,” he said when contacted by Media Selangor.
Alias said agricultural issues could not be viewed solely through the lens of food security, as the viability of producers also determined the nation’s capacity to sustain food production.
He added that income pressures could drive producers to switch to other activities offering better returns.
“If we do not provide them with assurances regarding their involvement in the agricultural industry, they will leave and choose other fields,” he said.
Alias cited some paddy farmers in western Selangor who are considering switching crops because rice no longer provides returns proportionate to the costs and work involved.
He added that the government needed to assess the actual issues on the ground before determining the form of intervention and allocations for the upcoming Budget 2027.
Alias also stressed the need to focus on attracting the younger generation to the agricultural sector, given that a large proportion of existing farmers are aged 60 and above.
“If we fail to prepare the new generation of farmers, a time will come when even with advanced technology and high-potential seeds, we will still face problems if there is no one to work the farms, paddy fields and orchards,” he added.
He said the success of the Budget 2027 should not be measured merely by the total allocation, but rather by its impact on productivity and producers’ incomes.
Alias has more than 40 years of experience in the agricultural sector, having worked with Guthrie, Sime Darby, the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) and the Prime Minister’s Department.
He has also been involved in formulating the Malaysia Plan, the National Agro-Food Policy, the National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) and bioeconomy initiatives.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, is scheduled to table the Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on October 9.
He had previously said the principle of a human-centric economy would be a key consideration for the government in formulating the upcoming Budget, ensuring that national economic growth translates into enhanced dignity, well-being and opportunities for the people.
He also said that the process of preparing next year’s Budget must take into account fundamental questions regarding the true purpose of economic development, rather than merely pursuing figures related to growth, investment or productivity.
