Malaysia is an agriculture country and oil palm is one of the top export and revenue earners for the country. At one point in time, our political leaders were right in establishing Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM), after upgrading it from the Serdang Agriculture Institute in 1974. Our country has been served dedicatedly by the alumni of UPM in agricultural development in Malaysia. Unfortunately, the new political leaders then surprisingly decided to change UPM to Universiti Putra Malaysia, another UPM. This time, UPM started to develop many courses which are completely unrelated to agriculture. UPM has gone into sports and human medicine for example.

The momentum that was moving the agriculture sector loss its steam and became negligible. Young Malaysians are now not keen to pursue agriculture as a career or for future business enterprises. Agriculture has lost its shine. For a country that is dependent on agriculture, this is a tragic episode. I know there are political leaders who want to revive the green book policy. In this uneasy and trying time globally, food security is of paramount importance. Every country wants to attain food sufficiency. Political leaders know that insufficient food and poverty are ingredients for trouble politically and for the country. 

Sabah is endowed with huge parcel of fertile lands. If this natural resource is properly managed, Sabah can be a world exporter of food. Food production is not difficult however it must be managed by people with expertise and proficiency. There must be dedication, commitment and responsibility in the political system. We cannot afford to have racial biases. Here, we are talking about the latest agriculture technology and experts. Without these agricultural experts, this sector will not go far. Production will be expensive, low quality and quantity. 

It is therefore imperative that a full pledge Agriculture University be established in Malaysia, and Sabah should be given the priority. Malaysia has more than enough Agriculture experts to teach in this university. We need to identify and open up lands, assist and encourage our people to go for agriculture, livestock production and fisheries. We need to achieve self sufficiency in food by certain period, and to proceed further to export them. 

An agriculture university is Malaysia’s best investment. I hope Pakatan Rakyat will make an open pledge to set up this University in Sabah whether the present BN government is not interested or not.

Dr. Edwin Bosi