Agro-Based Industry
Introduction
Generally, agro-based industry refers to an industry that adds values to agricultural raw materials through processing in order to produce marketable and usable products that bring forth profits and additional income to the producer.
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010), development of agro-based industry will be focus on increasing utilization of agricultural produce in the production of high value-added products as well as processing activities. Private sector is encouraged to invest in agro-based processing activities such as agriculture related GLCs, subsidiary companies of the agricultural agencies as well as relevant associations and cooperatives. The efforts also will be enhanced to increase participation of individual farmers and fishermen in agro-based processing activities so that the processing of end-products from agricultural industrial commodities will be increase further. However, many of Malaysian food producers are still small enterprises, thus necessary incentives and expertise will be provided to encourage the agro-food producers to upgrade the quality of their products through practicing Good Manufacturing Practices (GM), Quality Assurances Programme (QAP), Hazard Critical Control Point (HACCP), ISO and other International Quality Standards.
Besides, during the Ninth Malaysia Plan period, agro-based industry will be centered on innovation-based product development. Furniture and furniture components manufacturers will be encouraged to focus on innovative product design and quality as well as expand their product range to include high-end niche products while improving existing activities. Measures will be undertaken to aggressively promote exports of high quality products in compliance with ecolabelling requirements to sustain market share as well as diversify into new markets.
Issue Related – Food Crisis The food crisis situation seen in 2007 and 2008 with a sharp increase in basic food prices highlights
Generally, agro-based industry refers to an industry that adds values to agricultural raw materials through processing in order to produce marketable and usable products that bring forth profits and additional income to the producer.
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010), development of agro-based industry will be focus on increasing utilization of agricultural produce in the production of high value-added products as well as processing activities. Private sector is encouraged to invest in agro-based processing activities such as agriculture related GLCs, subsidiary companies of the agricultural agencies as well as relevant associations and cooperatives. The efforts also will be enhanced to increase participation of individual farmers and fishermen in agro-based processing activities so that the processing of end-products from agricultural industrial commodities will be increase further. However, many of Malaysian food producers are still small enterprises, thus necessary incentives and expertise will be provided to encourage the agro-food producers to upgrade the quality of their products through practicing Good Manufacturing Practices (GM), Quality Assurances Programme (QAP), Hazard Critical Control Point (HACCP), ISO and other International Quality Standards.
Besides, during the Ninth Malaysia Plan period, agro-based industry will be centered on innovation-based product development. Furniture and furniture components manufacturers will be encouraged to focus on innovative product design and quality as well as expand their product range to include high-end niche products while improving existing activities. Measures will be undertaken to aggressively promote exports of high quality products in compliance with ecolabelling requirements to sustain market share as well as diversify into new markets.
Issue Related – Food Crisis The food crisis situation seen in 2007 and 2008 with a sharp increase in basic food prices highlights
References: Driving Agriculture: Making Agro-based A Key Economic Engine. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from http://www.asli.com.my/DOCUMENTS/STRATEGIC%20OUTLOOK/Dato%20 Baharom%20Jani.pdf Food Crisis - Causes, consequences and alternatives. Retrieved April 12, 2011, from http://www.internationalviewpoint.org/spip.php?article1774 Food Price Watch – February 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2011, from http://www.worldbank.org/foodcrisis/food_price_watch_report_feb2011.html Ninth Malaysia Plan to Strengthen Agriculture and Agro-based industry. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from http://www.mtc.com.my/info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=609: The Causes of the Global Food Crisis. Retrieved April 12, 2011, from http://crs.org/public-policy/food-crisis-causes.cfm The Global Food Crisis: Implications for the Health of People in the African Region. Retrieved April 12, 2011, from http://www.who.int/countries/nga/reports/foodcrisis.pdf