Agro Research Scientist Dr. Roger Kanton has described the government’s 24-hour economy initiative as a step in the right direction but says its success will depend heavily on targeted support for the agricultural sector.
Speaking on ABC in the Morning, he emphasized the urgent need to prioritize transportation and processing within the agricultural value chain, pointing out that poor infrastructure and long travel times continue to cause major losses in produce quality.
Dr. Kanton urged the government to offer operational support and incentives such as security measures and logistical assistance for businesses operating under the new economic model.
He further advocated for a 30% fuel subsidy for farmers, particularly those who own and operate trucks for transporting goods, saying it would ease the burden on producers and enhance supply chain efficiency.
“Special arrangement for fuel subsidy for farmers—for instance, for truck owners who use light and others,” he said.
Dr. Kanton stressed that without such proactive measures, the 24-hour policy may fail to make a meaningful impact on productivity in the agricultural sector.
Dr. Kanton also called on authorities to deploy digital tracking systems to monitor farm activities and ensure transparency and efficiency.
“With a digital system, we can track them (farms). When you do that, you are also ensuring that resources are going where they are needed most,” he noted.
He concluded by encouraging the government to invest in enabling infrastructure, facilities, and digital tools to support growth in agriculture and other key sectors under the 24-hour economy.
