Kuala lumpur: The ongoing reform plan for the National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS) is focused on strengthening governance and boosting the competitiveness of farmers to ensure they remain progressive and relevant in facing the future. NAFAS Advisory Council member Datuk Hadzir Md Zain emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that it is crucial to prevent the organisation from falling into a comfort zone and to ensure it aligns with the government’s broader goal of reinforcing national food security.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hadzir Md Zain likened the reform to servicing a machine, underscoring the importance of restructuring NAFAS for efficient and effective operation, thereby continuing to deliver value to farmers. He highlighted the need for farmers to move towards more professional management and fully tap into the vast potential within the agriculture sector, rather than relying solely on government subsidies.
NAFAS’s constitution was suspended effective November 1, 2024, with ongoing reviews and investigations into its governance and operations aimed at overhauling its management and strengthening day-to-day performance. During this suspension, NAFAS is placed under the administration of an appointed officer by the Registrar of Farmers’ Organisations, with the Advisory Council providing advice on operational issues.
Hadzir further commented that the temporary suspension of the board of directors was a necessary recovery measure to address internal weaknesses, particularly non-compliance in governance and management practices. He warned that unchecked shortcomings could harm the interests of farmers and lead to wastage and leakages.
He also pointed out NAFAS’s significant strategic advantages, including a nationwide network, a 300,000-metric-tonne capacity fertiliser plant, and strong logistics infrastructure, which should be fully leveraged to enhance its role in the national agriculture sector. Hadzir urged the exploration of other agricultural areas, such as goat and cattle farming, freshwater aquaculture, and crops like vegetables, beyond the traditional focus on padi farming.
Hadzir stressed the need to harness these capabilities to reduce the country’s dependence on food imports, despite the potential for certain crops like coconuts to be cultivated locally. He also highlighted the importance of shifting mindsets and breaking out of comfort zones to explore high-potential crops that can generate strong returns.
He emphasized the urgent need to increase youth and women’s involvement in the agricultural sector through targeted training and skills development, to avoid over-reliance on an ageing farmer population. With over five decades in the industry, Hadzir called for the organisation to become more independent, efficient, and competitive, ensuring that its assets and business opportunities are fully maximised for the benefit of its members.
In conclusion, Hadzir urged all farmers to unite behind the reform agenda, strengthen the organisation’s foundations, and seize government-provided opportunities to make agriculture a sustainable, profitable, and resilient sector.