Gov't goes high tech to promote agri-competitiveness
Malaysiakini.com
May 19, 2008 

The Internet is set to play a vital role in helping local farmers and fishermen in being more competitive, especially in solving problems found at the supply chain.
MCPX

abdullah ahmad badawi pm mihas halal convention 080508 04"Malaysia for a few years now has been working on ICT-based solutions to solve certain problems and bottlenecks that we face along the agriculture supply chain," said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

He added that one solution to be looked into was the technology that makes available real time market information to farmers, fishermen and smallholders through the Internet.

He said this in his opening speech at the 16th WCIT (World Congress on Information Technology) in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

The premier also said that Malaysia would use its smart card technology to better manage and facilitate the dissemination of subsidies to agriculture workers.

Abdullah however did not elaborate on how this smart card technology would work.

He added that the government will continue to take all the necessary steps including investing further in ICT infrastructure and services in order to raise its competitiveness and put the country on the fast track toward the information age.

He also said the government will soon launch its broadband initiative which will reach 50 percent of the households by 2010, up from 15.5 percent last year.

Also in the pipeline is a comprehensive e-payment facility involving over 100 government agencies.

Copyright © 1999-2007 Mkini Dotcom Sdn. Bhd.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news//83079