By Siti Nurain Ratani

KUCHING: There is a need to strengthen the food security sector as the world’s population is expected to reach eight billion, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said the estimation was released by the United Nations (UN) and it will see India replacing China as the most populous country in the world.

The world may face difficulties in obtaining food in the future with the increased population, he said.

“As such, Sarawak needs to make early preparations in the event of a food crisis in the future due to the increase in world population,” he said.

Abang Johari stated that from the estimation, the average lifespan of the global population is 78.5 years, which means an aging population.
He pointed out that a welfare strategy needs to be formulated for the group.

“We have to provide food for them as well as welfare. With that, we also need to have good nurses who can take care of this group and that’s when the healthcare industry will emerge,” he said.

Abang Johari noted that this would provide opportunities where Sarawak and Singapore could complement each other.

He said the food security sector would be bolstered by establishing cooperation in the field with Singapore.

He also said the state government has a policy to create agro parks which he described as an industrial park focusing on agricultural production.

“The agro park will be equipped with the latest technology including digital infrastructure.

“With this approach, the crops can be grown in Sarawak and then shipped to Singapore for distribution to other parts of the region.
“We can use technology to the meet the quality standard of food required,” he said.