Wednesday 21 July 2010, Bandar Seri Begawan – Senior Asean agriculture officials are currently convening in the Sultanate to discuss and formulate more human resources development planning programmes relating to food security and the development of sustainable agricultural production in the region.

Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Pg Datin Paduka Hjh Mariana PDNLDR Pg Hj Abd Momin who officiated at the opening of the 17th Meeting of Association Working Group on Agricultural Training and Extension (Awgate) yesterday, said that Brunei had always given its continued support and commitment to Asean in facing food security challenges.

"Over the years, the contribution of the agriculture sector in Brunei has increased considerably," she said, adding that it was due to more land being cultivated, coupled with the adoption of advanced production technologies which resulted in higher yield and increased productivity.

Pg Datin Paduka Hjh Mariana in her opening remarks further explained that the application of these technologies is disseminated through training of the local farmers in order to enhance their skill in the adoption of the new technologies.

"For a sustainable agricultural production, it is encouraging to witness that Awgate has played an important role in upgrading the skill of Asean farmers through training, sharing of experiences, exchange of visit programmes such as Asean Farmers' Week Programme and establishment of successful collaboration programmes," said the acting permanent secretary.

She cited the establishment of the Asean Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) as one of Asean's achievements in the harmonisation of GAP programmes in the region.

" This should be implemented and strengthened in every Asean member state in order for us to be competitive in the international market, particularly on quality and safe food production," Pg Datin Paduka Hjh Mariana said.

"I am confident that Awgate will further assist us to reach the Asean goal by formulating more human resources development planning programmes relating to food security and the development of sustainable agricultural production."

The acting permanent secretary added that it was the duty of the Asean member states to provide not only better technology transfer in food production but also in introducing more initiatives to guide and facilitate the requirement of the region's farmers.

Chairing the meeting was Dr Mak Seung from Cambodia. The three-day closed-door meeting which was held at the Kiulap Plaza Hotel in the capital, will end on July 22.

Awgate is an active sectoral working group mandated to foster cooperation between Asean countries in agricultural training and extension.~ Courtesy of The Brunei Times





CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, IT CENTRE
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND PRIMARY RESOURCES

Sources
Writer: Fitri Shahminan
Picture: BT/Fitri Shahminan
Website: http://www.bt.com.bn

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