Include unregistered active farmers in E-Tani database

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KUCHING: The Department of Agriculture (DOA) has been called on to ensure that all farmers, including those who are currently unregistered, are included in the E-Tani database.

Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, raised concerns that existing data only reflects registered farmers, potentially excluding a significant number of active farmers from receiving government assistance.

“I want the Department of Agriculture to go all the way, every division, to look into those who are regular farmers who sell to the market and so on, to make sure they are captured in our data.

“So then we’ll be able to have actual data, those people that have translated all this work they do, into dollars and cents. That is why I want to see.

“There are also unregistered farmers who are not reflected in our data. When it comes to providing inputs, subsidies, or other forms of assistance, we cannot do so blindly.

“We need accurate information to guide our efforts. Over the years, we’ve seen cases where assistance is given through DOA, especially via agricultural stations, but the impact is limited.

“For example, if funds or resources like fish stock are provided to a village, only about five individuals may actually set up fishponds, while the remaining 30 do not. As a result, the overall benefit of the assistance is minimal.

“It is very wasteful, and the other thing is that they don’t need it. Why don’t you change that into something that they need?

“So with e-TANI, they will be able to identify not only the farmers, but the needs of each and every farmer in their area as well,” he said in his speech during the launch of the Agricultural Census Interim Report held here today.

He stressed that accurate and reliable data is essential for planning and resource allocation, as it enables the government to make informed decisions on the type of crops or livestock to support in different areas.

“So in order for us to move forward, we must be able to assess ourselves. What do we need, what sort of crops, what sort of agricultural aspect we dwell into.

“And all these are very important, so that we will be able to see the future of agriculture, which of the crops or livestock has been selected and so on,” he added.

Dr Rundi also praised the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) for its role in producing the report, adding that it will serve as a valuable guide in formulating targeted agricultural policies.

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