A deputy minister has asked government-linked companies (GLCs) to help struggling farmers instead of buying hotels and getting involved in big projects.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said he was sometimes angry with the way GLCs were treating farmers. “In villages, small farmers are struggling. We call upon GLCs to think of rural farmers.
“I get angry sometimes. Sometimes GLCs buy hotels here and there,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat today. The Pasir Salak MP said Felda could be rearing cows on its land but that it didn’t want to. “Why? They want easy work. Plant and sell palm oil.”
He said it was the same with Sime Darby as the company has huge tracts of land where cows could be reared. “But they don’t want.” He said GLCs could create world-class farmers like in Korea, Taiwan and other developed countries.
“The farmers don’t have the resources.” He said GLCs must play a part to help farmers increase their yield and market their products internationally. That way, he added, small-time farmers could go further in their business. “This will create new wealth among farmers.
“GLCs should not be busy showing profits. This is an economic agenda for farmers.”
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