Mutual cooperation on three main areas including “sharing expertise in agricultural data analysis’, ‘developing technical and vocational education’, and ‘utilising data from the 2024 Agricultural Census’
Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance research collaboration in the agri-food sector.
The agreement, formalized through PNB’s research division, PNB Research Institute (PNBRI), aims to strengthen public-private partnerships and drive innovation in agricultural development. The partnership focuses on three key areas: sharing expertise in agricultural data analysis, developing technical and vocational education, and utilizing data from the 2024 Agricultural Census.
These efforts are aligned with the National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030 and aim to support evidence-based policymaking for the sector’s modernization. PNB Group Chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda highlighted the significance of the MoU, stating that it reflects PNB’s commitment to creating long-term value beyond financial returns. He emphasized that the collaboration aligns with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and underscores the importance of accurate data in driving effective agricultural policies.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu described the MoU as a proactive step to enhance agricultural research and policy formulation. He noted that the initiative supports the GEAR-uP initiative under the MADANI Economic Framework, which coordinates government-linked investment companies to contribute to national development.
The signing ceremony, attended by senior officials from both institutions, was witnessed by the ministers involved. Datuk Seri Isham Ishak and Dr. Sarena Che Omar represented their respective organizations during the formal signing. This collaboration marks a new era of cooperation between the public sector and government-linked investment companies in Malaysia.
The partnership is expected to produce high-quality research that will contribute to the government’s efforts to modernize the agricultural sector. It also reinforces the government’s commitment to leveraging data and expertise to address challenges and opportunities in Malaysia’s agri-food industry.
