It's now the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood

HM changes Agriculture dept's name, stresses shift in approach

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday announced that the Department of Agriculture shall now be known as the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood.

"As the preparation of foodstuff directly involves the area of agriculture, I therefore have been called on to make the current Department of Agriculture into the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood," His Majesty said in a titah during the opening of the Agriculture and Agrifood Expo 2009 at the Tungku Agricultural Development Area.

The monarch identified several aspects which needed to change in order to develop the sectors of agriculture and agrifood. The development of the agriculture and agrifood sectors needs agriculture to be upgraded from traditional to high technology, from small-time to large commercial-scale, and from part-time to full-time, His Majesty explained.

"This calls for a new approach, primarily in the issues of management, manpower, financial facilities and marketing," His Majesty said.

The benevolent ruler also urged everyone to continue to be grateful to Allah (SWT) for bestowing us with comfortable and happy lives. His Majesty said that among the sources of this blessing was the fertility of the land in the Sultanate, which was suitable for cultivation. "There is a lot of fertile land in this world, but a lot of it cannot be benefited by its people because they are hindered by various calamities," His Majesty said.

The monarch also noted there were some who did not even have land or the right climate for food production.

"In our country, Alhamdulillah, the land and climate as well as the situation, are stimulating enough to be able to find a living through working the land," His Majesty said.

His Majesty said that farming was not easy work, but is highly praised and encouraged by religion since the benefits are not reaped by only the individual, but by all of Allah's (SWT) creations. His Majesty explained that crops planted by Muslims and eaten by other humans and animals will become a form of charity for them on the Day of Judgment. "Is this not a clear indication that farming is a noble occupation?" His Majesty asked rhetorically.

The monarch added that if done wholeheartedly, farming would not only be able to achieve food security for the people, but also help overcome various difficulties, including reducing unemployment.

In recognising the contribution of farmers, His Majesty declared that November 1 shall be the day to celebrate fruit and vegetable farmers, padi planters, livestock farmers and fishermen. Hopefully with this declaration, they will continue their pure efforts to help the government as well as themselves, His Majesty said.

His Majesty said that the field of agriculture worldwide has experienced drastic changes and thus, it is the government's responsibility to prepare suitable infrastructure to face any possibility. "It is on this basis that my government, through the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, will continue to provide assistance, guidance and infrastructure to allow agriculture in Brunei to be viable." The Brunei Times