For Malaysia, the agriculture sector's contribution to the GDP is smaller than when the country gained independence due to the growth of other sectors such as manufacturing and services. However, the agricultural sector's contribution cannot be overlooked because it may be the answer to several challenges the country faces, particularly unemployment, food security, and income discrepancies between rural and urban areas.
Although young people's involvement in agriculture is still limited, positive trends pointing towards their increased participation will surely be noticed, especially when more and more of them begin to express interest in becoming modern farmers.
Some people are willing to leave their steady careers in favor of the substantial monthly income as a farmer. Farming is no longer a "third-class" career because it has the potential to yield a sizeable profit today. There are young entrepreneurs who are doing well, for instance, Shaiful Hizam, a honey bee entrepreneur, Mohd Shah Dasin, a pineapple farmer, and Mohd Zalalnudin, a fish breeder.
Aside from the financial benefits, some of them provide jobs to villagers, who collaborate with them on their agricultural products. The idea that farming is only for the poor and needy has been disproved because farmers do gain big profits too. Besides, agricultural activities can mitigate urbanization, keeping young people in rural areas, where they can contribute to the area's development together.
The new generation of farmers finds modern farming appealing due to its ease of work, from running the farm, prepping the field for planting to harvesting using only smartphones.
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