Kuala lumpur: Pahang is poised to become a significant national agri-food hub under the proposed East Coast Food Production Hub announced in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), leveraging its strategic location and potential to drive growth in the sector. East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) chief executive officer Datuk Baidzawi Che Mat emphasized Pahang’s strategic advantage in spearheading national food production initiatives.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the development of the hub is expected to attract both domestic and foreign investments, create job opportunities, and strengthen the agri-food value chain from farm to market. Baidzawi highlighted the example of the Netherlands, which, despite its small size, has become a leading agricultural exporter, suggesting that similar strategic planning and sustainable approaches could position Pahang as Malaysia’s leading agri-food hub.
The proposed hub will include Collection, Processing, and Packaging Centres (CPPCs), which will provide direct benefits to local farmers, aligning with the objectives of the National Agro-Food Policy 2.0. Baidzawi noted that the CPPCs’ proximity to the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) would facilitate faster delivery of agricultural produce to both domestic and international markets, enhancing competitiveness and boosting farmers’ income.
The hub aims to increase local food production with a focus on high-value crops such as durian, thereby reducing the country’s reliance on food imports. Baidzawi also mentioned that flood mitigation projects under 13MP would enable the development of agri-food projects on previously flood-prone land. ECERDC’s collaboration with the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) will utilize data-driven and satellite technology to map flood-prone areas and identify safe agricultural zones.
Prof Dr Mohd Faizal Jamlos from Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) recommended the use of geospatial technology, such as drones, to produce Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) or Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) for precision mapping of agricultural land. These models provide valuable information to easily differentiate between high and low-lying areas, and UMPSA possesses the necessary technology and capability for data acquisition and processing.
Mohd Faizal highlighted the food production hub as a strategic government investment to stimulate the local economy and ensure national food security. He emphasized the need for a well-developed ecosystem to attract industry players and agropreneurs, proposing incentives such as competitive Temporary Occupation Licences (TOLs), access to basic infrastructure, and advisory services on market demand and crop suitability. Additionally, tax incentives, soft loans, and grants could further encourage private sector participation.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while tabling 13MP, announced the development of integrated, competitive national food production hubs in the East Coast states of Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu, aimed at creating new economic opportunities, particularly for rural communities.