While there were genuine concerns on the Influenza A (H1N1), the epidemic still failed to deter more than 150,000 people from visiting the venue of the three day 2009 Farmers', Livestock Breeders' and Fishermen's Day celebration (HPPNK) in Ayer Keroh, Melaka  here recently. 

 
Nevertheless, many of the visitors took precaution by wearing the face mask.

"Everyone is worried of the swine flu, especially when looking at the number of fatalities and so we are taking precautions by wearing the face mask while being here," said a visitor Baharuddin Tahir, 50, at the crowded site recently. 
 
As for Baharuddin, like the rest, the event is an itinerary that should not be missed because of the numerous products of the farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen were on display along with new agro-based industry products. 
 
 AN EXPOSITION OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY
 
The visitors were also awed by the modern technology and the latest research findings by the government departments and agencies, and also by the private sector in the agricultural sector.
 
"Here, I find that the chili plants are so fertile, with so many chillies, I was told they were planted using the fertigation method...it looks simple, I too want to plant chili, tomatoes...around my house using the fertigation method," said another visitor, Maimunah Othman, 36.
  
The event is more carnival like. Among the things to see for visitors were the Agrobazaars promoting a myriad of local agricultural produce from all over the nation, cultural shows and tele-matches.
 
There were also livestock, fishes, including ornamental fishes, and shellfish on display, florafest along with livestock competition.
 
Mohd Johari noted that the sales value during the seven day duration amounted to RM3.5 million while contracts worth RM10 were inked.
 
"When we take a look at the exhibition, first we can see the new products,
how they are packaged and that they are at par with the imported products," he
said.
 
Visitors too could see a number of downstream products that have been value added and ready for export. 
 
For example from the pineapple comes the pineapple juice, canned pineapples,  pineapple jam and pineapple coffee. Adding value to the agricultural products mean there is a widespread use of modern technology in the Malaysian agricultural sector.
   
 A RECOGNITION FOR FARMERS
 
The HPPNK 2009 among others encourage youths to venture into the agricultural sector, and had put on display numerous hi-tech machineries developed by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) to help develop the agricultural sector. 
 
The annual event is seen very important as it reflects the government's recognition for the farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen and agro-entrepreneurs in transforming the nation's agricultural sector. 
 
"We hope that one day Malaysia will be self sufficient in food production and will reduce dependence on imports, many countries have succeced in becoming self sufficient," he said.
 
The government provides various assistance in achieving the target and in encouraging more people to venture into the agricultural sector. 
 
HPPNK is one of the platforms for the farmers, livestock breeders and thefishermen to exchange views and experience other than providing them the exposure and the business opportunies to those who are keen, he explained.  
 
 INTRODUCED IN 1972
 
The Farmer's Day was first introduced in 1972 and was announced by Malaysia's second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak.
 
Three years later, in 1975, the Fishermen's Association and MARDI joined in the celebrations and in 1987 the event was renamed as Farmers', Livestock Breeders' and Fishermen's Day(HPPNK).
 
-Bernama