Dato Sri Stephen Rundi Utom with the other distinguished guests at the 2026 Gemilang Agro-Based Industry Dinner held at a hotel in Kuching.
KUCHING: Sarawak's Agro-Based Industry (ABI) sector needs to immediately shift from a conventional approach to an industrial model based on value chains, technology and yield orientation to ensure that it truly contributes to the state's economic growth and the increase in the people's income.
Sarawak's Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Stephen Rundi Utom, said this when speaking at the Gemilang Agro-Based Industry Division, Sarawak Agriculture Department Dinner at a leading hotel, here tonight.
According to him, the agriculture and agro-food sector can no longer be seen simply as a subsistence activity or primary production, but rather needs to be transformed into an economic driver through industrial development, processing, marketing and value-added creation.
"It is time for us to move away from the old way of thinking. The agro-based industry must be seen as a complete industrial ecosystem, starting from production, processing, branding to the market," he said.
Rundi stressed that the state government is now placing emphasis on results-oriented delivery, in line with the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and the Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
He said that the success of a programme is no longer measured based on the number of activities implemented, but the extent to which its impact can increase entrepreneurs' income, product marketability, business sustainability and contribution to the state's food security.
In that context, he said, the Agro-Based Industry Division plays a strategic role as the main implementing machinery in developing local agro-food entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas, through an integrated and systematic approach.
Rundi also stressed the need for a change in mindset among entrepreneurs to dare to use new technology, mechanization and innovation to increase the productivity and competitiveness of Sarawak products in the local and international markets.
"We cannot rely solely on traditional methods. Technology is the key to taking this sector to a higher level," he said.
He also called for closer cooperation between government agencies, related departments and stakeholders so that the implementation of the program can be carried out in a more coordinated and effective manner, thus avoiding duplication and waste of resources.
At the event, Rundi also expressed his appreciation to all employees of the Agro-Based Industry Division, Sarawak Agriculture Department for their commitment and continuous efforts in developing local entrepreneurs and strengthening the state's food and commodity industry ecosystem.
He hoped that the Agro-Based Industry Division would continue to be a thought leader, an implementer with integrity and a driver of results in the transformation agenda of Sarawak's agriculture and agro-food sector towards a developed, prosperous and inclusive state.
