Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin wants more farmers in Cameron Highlands to register for the Malaysian Good Agricultural Practices (MyGap) certification in order to create better branding for produce from that region.
“Why I want to do MyGap Training is because I want to bring up the Cameron Highlands brand.
“My vision for Cameron Highlands is that in the future, all (produce) can be stamped with 'Cameron Highlands Product' and it can sell better.
“That is why today we start with the first step which is to get more farmers to register for MyGap,” Sim said to reporters after closing the MyGap registration campaign at the Cameron Highlands’ Mardi office.
MyGap is a programme that has been running since 2002 which stresses good agricultural practices encompassing food safety, product quality, environmental sustainability and worker welfare.
Currently, 30 percent of agriculture land in Cameron Highlands is already registered under MyGap but Sim said the number of farmers certified under MyGap still remains very small.
He also acknowledged that land was an issue for many farmers in Cameron Highlands and urged the state government to look into the matter.
“The Pahang menteri besar is from the Cameron Highlands constituency so he should know (about the land issues).
“He has to help solve the land problems in Cameron Highlands,” he said.
Sim is in Cameron Highlands one day before the nomination day for the constituency’s by-election slated for Jan 26.
However, he stressed he was not here to campaign for the by-election.
“You might think this is all for the election but it is not because I have planned this for so long.
“The first time I came to Cameron Highlands was in August (last year) and we already started the work (then),” he said.
DAP is fielding M Manogaran for the by-election while BN is fielding retired assistant police commissioner Ramli Mohd Nor. - Mkini
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