In ensuring the security of food supply and enhance economic contribution to GDP, Brunei Darussalam places much importance in agriculture and agri-food development. In this respect, the Department of Agriculture actively promotes development of various agricultural commodities as well as facilitates outsourcing of raw materials and food supply.

It is a fact that agricultural development is the main factor in sustaining national food supply and agri-food production. Agriculture activities are mainly centered on the production of food commodities. For the past decade, the trend of the agriculture production has been impressive with the value of primary production increased from $82.56 million in 1996 to $158.98 million in 2005.

In 2005, the livestock sector including processed products continued to dominate the agricultural sector development with the market value at $104.9 million compared to crop sector and its processed products with an output value of $54.08 million, which contributed about 66% and 34% to the total agriculture output, respectively. Poultry, Eggs and Leafy Vegetables are commodities that have attained selfsufficiency level.

It is indeed that the active engagement of agro-entrepreneurs comprising the large commercial producers, small and medium size entrepreneurs (SMEs) and traditional subsistent farmers with increasing interest in commercial production of agribusiness undertaking has propelled agriculture development in this country.

Agriculture, which makes up only 1.1% of the country’s Gross Domestic Produce (GDP), comprises mainly of the production of poultry, vegetables, fruits, livestock, rice and other crops.

The Eighth and Ninth National Development Plan, aims to improve the primary production and processing sectors as well as to develop a vibrant, marketdriven agribusiness.

A way forward is to facilitate the development of agri-food processing industry that could capitalise on the cheap raw materials in the region for the manufacturing of export-oriented and value-added agri-food products.

Agriculture remains a priority sector in Brunei Darussalam’s economic development where there are considerable opportunities for increasing domestic production as well as the potential for increased exports into specialised markets. The agricultural production activities in the country are dominated by a large number of small producers with smaller number of commercial entrepreneurs. For the most part, the commercial producers are concentrated in poultry production with vertically integrated businesses.

To spur agricultural development in years to come, B$128.9 million had been planned for various agricultural development projects under the Ninth National Development Plan (2006-2010). Brunei Darussalam has among the highest food consumption per capita in the region with red meats, chicken and eggs recorded a consumption of over 8.3kg, 44.6kg and 289 eggs respectively.

Meanwhile, the consumption of vegetables, fruits and rice per capita is over 49.1kg, 55kg and 83.9kg respectively.