II. NATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

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D. Ministry of Agriculture

The objectives of the Ministry of Agriculture are:

• To increase the income of farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen by increasing output from agricultural, livestock and fishery activities through the efficient utilization of national resources;
• To increase the food production for domestic consumption and export, as well as diversifying agricultural, fishery and livestock activities including downstream activities in line with domestic and international market opportunities.

The functions of the ministry include:

• Formulating policies, strategies and agricultural development programmes;
• Monitoring, evaluating and coordinating the implementation of project/programmes executed under Integrated Agricultural Development Projects (IADP) as well as non-IADPs;
• Providing economic analyses services, including scientifically collecting, analysing and storing all statistical data and making them available to users and other Divisions/Departments and Agencies;
• Formulating and executing publicity programmes, providing reference and research services and implementing the Agriculture Management Information System;
• Ensuring the participation of the Ministry of Agriculture in international programmes;
• Serving as a one-stop agency to the private sector for the provision of agricultural advisory and expert services.

The ministry comprises the following departments and agencies:

• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Fisheries
• Department of Irrigation and Drainage
• Department of Veterinary Services
• Farmers Organization Authority
• Federal Agriculture and Marketing Authority
• Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia
• Kemubu Agricultural and Development Authority
• Malaysia Agriculture Research and Development Institute
• Malaysia Agricultural Bank
• Muda Agricultural and Development Authority
• National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia
• Pepper Marketing Board

MARDI was established in 1969 to undertake research and development of technologies to assist in modernizing the agricultural sector and improving the incomes of farmers. The responsibilities of MARDI include developing and promoting appropriate technologies for increasing efficiency and productivity in order to strengthen economic development while also protecting the quality of the environment.

Research at the institute involve various aspects of scientific, economic and sociological activities related to all commodities except rubber and oil palm. The institute is required to provide advice and expertise in relation to scientific research as well as the technical aspects and extension of agricultural businesses. The institute researchers are located at research stations throughout the country.

As part of the development of the cocoa industry, MARDI is undertaking research and development programmes in place of the Malaysian Cocoa Board since the latter is still in the infancy stage of development. The types of research and development efforts being undertaken by the institute include increasing the productivity and quality of cocoa products in order to reduce the disparity in smallholder production levels, as well as introducing more efficient technology in the production and post-harvest management of cocoa products.

Various research programmes being carried out by MARDI researchers include accumulating and improving cocoa genetic stocks, studying the physiological aspects of the cocoa plant, testing systematic production technologies, improving production in problem areas and increasing the quality of cocoa beans. Technology transfer is undertaken by a special Technology Promotion Unit within the institute. The targets of the unit include farmers and government agencies involved in the sector and entrepreneurs (individual as well as firms) that are directly or indirectly associated in activities related to cocoa production.

In addition to the Technology Promotion Unit, other units at the institute are involved in research on the production and processing of cocoa. They include the Basic Research Unit, the Biochemical Unit, the Social and Techno-Economy Unit and the Food Technology Unit. Research on cocoa products and by-products of cocoa are being undertaken by the Food Technology Unit, with the aim of encouraging downstream activities in the cocoa sector.

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