SERDANG, Aug 8 — Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was today conferred an honorary doctorate in agricultural development by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) here.
He received the award from UPM chancellor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
The Selangor Sultan described Abdullah, who stepped down as prime minister last April, as a visionary leader for his attempt to make the agricultural sector, the third engine of growth.
"The government's recognition to UPM as the centre of excellence for agricultural education is a sign of Tun Abdullah's seriousness in promoting the agricultural sector," said Sultan Sharafuddin.
He hoped Abdullah would continue to contribute to society and country.
In his acceptance speech, Abdullah spoke of his administration's efforts in improving the agricultural sector.
"I am very confident of the importance and the potential of the agricultural sector, when I was leading the government, the allocation for the Agriculture Ministry was increased," said Abdullah, adding that his administration had also introduced the National Biotechnology Policy.
"These efforts require some time for them to be implemented, but I am glad that the ideas have been accepted and our agricultural productivity has increased," he added.
But Abdullah said more needs to be done to fully develop the sector.
"Our job is clear, to make agriculture interesting, modern and, most importantly, profitable," he added.
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