KUALA LUMPUR - The Government intends to oversee the restructuring of current agriculture agencies to transform agri-biotechnology into a viable and dynamic endeavor.

"The Government recognises agri-biotech as an area with enormous potential for transforming the very nature of modern agriculture in the country," said Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis.

His speech was read by his deputy, Datuk Kong Cho Ha, at the launch of the "International Symposium on Molecular Farming in Plants - Prospects for the Asia-Pacific", here Tuesday.

Jamaluddin said four ministries would take the lead in this transformation.

They are science, technology and innovation, plantation industries and commodities, agriculture and rural and regional development.

He said under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the Government has allocated RM11.4 billion to modernise the agricultural sector.

"The Government intends to transform and enhance value creation in this sector by means of promoting biotechnological investigations, identifying fine propositions for research and development and commerce, advocating the country as a hub for regional and global markets," he said.

Jamaluddin said due to Malaysia's status as a developing nation, a positive shift in agricultural practices should directly translate into capital- building.

"This, by all means, is a noteworthy aim for a country whose economy depends greatly on farming," he said.

Jamaluddin said applications of biotechnological advancements in agriculture would spell, among others, cost-effective production, higher yields, crops of superior quality and successful management of plant diseases.

"We should be able to produce foods with greater nutritional value, longer-lasting and perhaps, containing lower levels of naturally occurring toxins," he said.