The government will continue its efforts to strengthen farmers and fishermen so that they do not depend solely on subsidies and aid from the government.

Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Salahuddin Ayub said the time has come for the government to give these people the ‘fishing rod’ and not the ‘fish’ so that they can change their lives and get out of poverty.

“We will continue giving them aid, but the incentives must include training so that they can change.

“With training and assistance, they will no longer focus on their work but instead look for other opportunities to improve their lives,” he told reporters at the handing-over ceremony of application forms for new members of Parti Amanah in Bakri, Muar last night.

For instance, he said, fishermen who cannot go out to sea can carry out agriculture activities such as planting pineapples and vegetables on abandoned land to supplement their incomes.

“This is one of the ways the government can help poor fishermen move out of the traditional agricultural towards modern agriculture,” he said.

- Bernama