Perak Seeks 2027 Budget Boost For Smart Agriculture, Food Security
By Razif Rosli & Muhamad Adzhar Tajuddin
IPOH, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Perak hopes the 2027 Budget, to be tabled next October, will include an allocation through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to accelerate the implementation of the Smart Agriculture Development Programme, boost food production, and strengthen national food security.
State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun said the allocation would be crucial in helping agro-entrepreneurs and agricultural companies adopt modern technologies to improve productivity, as well as the quality and quantity of agricultural produce.
The Smart Agriculture Development Programme is part of a comprehensive RM3.5 million plan spanning 2026 to 2030. It targets 55 groups, the development of 50 hectares of smart farming areas, and the implementation of five projects through matching grants.
Mohd Zolkafly said the programme was formulated in line with the National Agro-food Policy 2021-2030 (DAN 2.0) and the state's development roadmap, aiming to accelerate the transformation of the agricultural sector through technology.
“Among the technologies prioritised under the programme are the Internet of Things (IoT), smart irrigation systems, robotics, mechanisation, automation, vertical farming, and controlled-environment agriculture,” he told Bernama.
Meanwhile, Perak also hopes the federal government will consider its proposal to incorporate 7,561.86 hectares of padi fields outside the designated granary area in Parit, Perak Tengah, into the operational zone of the Seberang Perak Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA).
Mohd Zolkafly said the proposal, first submitted on Aug 23, 2017, was important to enable the area to be developed in a more productive, modern, and efficient manner.
He said placing the area's management under IADA would also allow more systematic development and maintenance of agricultural infrastructure, particularly irrigation and drainage systems.
The initiative, he added, is in line with the national food security agenda, which requires increased production of key food commodities, including padi.
“More systematic management of irrigation and drainage infrastructure would enable these non-granary areas to become more productive, helping to increase output and improve farmers’ incomes,” he said.
Mohd Zolkafly also said the state government would resubmit agricultural development project proposals that did not receive federal government approval for 2026 for consideration under the 2027 Budget.
He said the proposals were among 42 projects submitted by the state government for 2026, involving a total funding request of about RM30 million for agricultural and agrifood development projects in Perak.
“Of the 42 projects submitted for 2026, some have been approved and are currently being implemented. Those that have yet to receive approval will be resubmitted for consideration under the 2027 Budget,” he said.
Among the approved projects currently being implemented is the Bio-fertiliser Technology Transfer for Yield and Quality Improvement of Sweet Potato and Padi Crops in Perak, valued at RM70,000.
Also underway is a land development project involving Matag coconut cultivation in Kampung Seberang Makmur, Sungai Siput, with a total project cost of RM738,080 and an allocation ceiling of RM700,000 for 2026.
The Perak District Padi Granary Peripheral Area Development Project, with a total cost of RM55.94 million, has also been approved, with an allocation ceiling of RM1.5 million for 2026.
Other projects that have been approved or are currently being implemented include the High-Value MD2 Pineapple Cultivation Community Project in Kampung Kassim, Tapah Road, valued at RM600,000, and the Perak Rice Programme: Empowering the State’s Padi Industry, valued at RM1.35 million.
Also included are the ‘Quick Win’ Cockle Production Incentive under the Perak State Cockle Farm Project, valued at RM650,000; the High-Value SG1 Pineapple Cultivation Community Project in Kampung Padang Luas Raban, Lenggong, valued at RM800,000; and the Project to Strengthen the Sustainability of Cockle Seed and Stock Resources in Perak, valued at RM500,000.
-- BERNAMA