KUCHING: The Ministry for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) is committed to intensify efforts to transform the state's agro sector through a yield-based approach, innovation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen the competitiveness of Sarawak's food and commodity industries.

Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said that the routine work culture or business as usual is no longer sufficient in facing the challenge of developing the increasingly complex and competitive agro sector.

According to him, every plan and programme implemented must focus on achieving clear, measurable results and have a direct impact on the development of the state's agriculture and food industry.

"When we plan something, it is not just for the sake of planning. In the end, the results achieved are the most important thing. If the target cannot be achieved, we need to re-evaluate and make improvements," he said.

He said this during the Gala Dinner and Presentation of Innovation Awards in conjunction with the Innovative and Creative Circle (ICC) M-FICORD-Level Mini Convention 2026 on Tuesday.

He added that innovation and creativity must be implemented as the work culture of all ministries and agencies under M-FICORD to ensure that Sarawak's agro sector continues to grow in line with the aspirations of the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

Accordingly, he urged every department and agency under the ministry to take advantage of new technology including AI to improve operational efficiency, productivity and service delivery.

"Improvements can only be seen through results. To produce better results, we need to alter and adapt to new technologies. That is the only way," he stressed.

According to the M-FICORD Minister, Sarawak's agro sector must move towards smart agriculture, the development of agroparks and the implementation of the circular economy concept to increase productivity and added value to the industry.

At the same time, he emphasised the importance of ensuring that local products have consistent, sustainable and competitive quality standards in the global market through research and commercialisation of products based on local resources.

He also called for research results carried out by related institutions and agencies to be translated into high-value commercial products capable of penetrating the international market.

In the meantime, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi stressed that the success of Sarawak's agro transformation agenda depends on the strength of teamwork, implementation efficiency and a work culture based on a sense of responsibility and sense of urgency among the ministry's personnel.

The ICC M-FICORD-Level Mini Convention 2026 brought together nine innovation groups competing to be selected to represent the ministry to the next level, thus serving as a platform to strengthen the culture of innovation and continuous improvement in the organisation.

The Sarawak Department of Agriculture emerged as champion through an innovation project that successfully met the best evaluation criteria, thus taking home a cash prize of RM1,500.

Meanwhile, the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) simultaneously took second place with a prize of RM1,300 and third place with RM1,000.

The success reflects the continued commitment of agencies under M-FICORD in strengthening the culture of innovation and continuous improvement to increase the efficiency of service delivery and support the transformation agenda of Sarawak's agro sector.

Also present were Deputy Ministers for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Datuk Martin Ben, M-FICORD Permanent Secretary Datu Sirai Daha and M-FICORD Deputy Permanent Secretary Sayed Ismail Nasiruddin Dato Sri Wan Hashim. -UKASnews

Prepared By: Lonney Jinab
Photo: Muhd Zulfadli
Translator: Nerissa Sia