A dynamic economy requires a workforce that is ready for the future. The quality of life of the people will not last long if food security, which is the basic need of every citizen, is vulnerable, Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Lau How Teck said at the Second Meeting of the 21st LegCo Session on Tuesday.

The government has formulated key policy documents to lead the nation towards this goal, including the Economic Blueprint, Manpower Blueprint and Social Blueprint, he said.

These documents set a very clear direction for the country in developing a competitive non-oil and gas sector, producing a skilled and adaptable workforce and ensuring social well-being and equitable access to the people’s basic needs, he said.

“However, the real challenge that need to be address is how this vision is translated to the grassroots level in a more organised, rapid and effective manner, especially in the agriculture and food business sectors which are the bulwarks of national security,” the LegCo member said.

The experience of recent years has taught the country one very important thing – the high reliance on food imports places the country in a vulnerable position, he added.

A country that wants to be resilient needs a strong and sustainable food production base, so that the people are not exposed to the uncertainties of external markets, Yang Berhormat Lau said.

Brunei Vision 2035 and the Economic Blueprint have emphasised the need to diversify the economy, with the agriculture and food sector identified as one of the main drivers.

However, in reality, the path to entering this sector is still winding, he added.

Many entrepreneurs, especially youth and new entrepreneurs, face confusion and complicated processes including poorly focused information, unclear procedures and support that is not easily accessible. The great potential of the people to contribute to food security and the country’s economy is ultimately not fully utilised, the LegCo member added.

Yang Berhormat Lau suggested that it may be necessary to establish a One-Stop Centre and an Agro Business digital application that truly functions as an official gateway to this sector.

“All important information, from the registration process, site selection, list of government assistance and grants, to access to training and experienced mentors, needs to be consolidated under one clear and easily accessible channel.”

He said this step can ease bureaucracy, give confidence to new entrepreneurs, and ensure that every citizen wishing to contribute to this sector has an organised and user-friendly path, an approach that is in line with the Economic Blueprint’s aspiration to develop productive, competitive, and market-oriented businesses.

The LegCo member said that in addition to facilitating entry into this sector, there is also a need to pay attention to the ecosystem that supports the production and marketing of agricultural products as for small entrepreneurs, it could be their produce cannot be marketed well or are forced to sell at low prices or throw away their produce because there are no immediate buyers, no suitable storage places and no planned distribution channels.

This situation, he added, not only weakens the morale of entrepreneurs, but also affects the stability of prices and food supply in the local market.

The Economic Blueprint has emphasised the importance of high-quality economic infrastructure to support business growth, the LegCo member added.

In the context of agriculture, there is a priority to develop agricultural collection centres in each district, equipped with cold storage facilities, standardised packaging and a modern distribution system that can quickly bring agricultural products to supermarkets or wholesalers. “With a more structured market guarantee, entrepreneurs will be more courageous to increase production capacity, thus increasing the stability of the country’s food supply.

“There is also a need to examine the workforce aspect. The future of this sector depends on the extent to attract interest and produce a new generation willing to contribute.

However, in reality, many young people still consider agriculture to be a less attractive job and does not promise good returns.” The Manpower Blueprint has outlined the need to create a skilled and adaptable workforce, Yang Berhormat Lau said while proposing the creation of a Young Agro Entrepreneur scheme offering easily accessible start-up funds, structured practical training along with experienced operators, and the assurance of clearer market channels.

“With this support, the agriculture sector can be seen as a viable, innovative and high-impact career field for national development and in addition, encourage the widespread use of technology to further help the agricultural sector become modern, productive and sustainable.”

With smallholders still unable to afford the upfront costs of smart irrigation systems, modern greenhouses or crop monitoring applications, he proposed the creation of a flexible and user-friendly agricultural technology financing scheme, to help them transition to modern methods.

This approach, Yang Berhormat Lau added, will increase production yields, reduce long-term costs, and provide the people with a more consistent and quality food supply, in line with the Social Blueprint which emphasises that the well-being of the people depends on access to nutritious, affordable and sustainable food.

He said; “These proposals are not new things that have come out of the country’s direction as the framework and aspirations have already been formulated through our blueprint but what is still needed is faster, clearer and more organised implementation.

“If we truly want to achieve a dynamic and sustainable economy by 2035, the agriculture and food sector must be prioritised with bold steps, reorganising the entry routes of entrepreneurs, building a complete supporting infrastructure, attracting young talent and accelerating the adoption of modern technology.”

Yang Berhormat Lau was confident that with planned actions and centred on the direction of the national blueprint, this sector can develop into the main driver of the non-oil and gas economy, as well as becoming a bulwark of national security and the foundation of the people’s well-being.

This is the time to turn potential into reality, and ensure that by 2035, Brunei’s agriculture sector stands as the main pillar of resilient and high-quality economic development for the people, he added.

(News & pic source: Borneo Bulletin)