ON April 21, my friend and I went to the Business Development Centre (BDC) at the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry building in Putrajaya. We had heard good things about the BDC and we were convinced that it would be able to help us on our MBA business project.

When we arrived at 2pm, the centre was still closed, so we headed for a quick lunch, assuming that the staff were also on a lunch break.

After lunch, the BDC was open, but only the receptionist was there. When we asked to speak to the on-duty officers, we were told that all three had gone out for a meeting.

Luckily, my friend and I work in Kuala Lumpur. Had we been small-time farmers from Kedah or Sabah and had come all the way to Putrajaya to get advice on agricultural projects, and all the BDC officers were not around, it would have been even more disappointing.

The centre was well equipped with information boards but there is no substitute for a knowledgeable agricultural officer.

I suggest that the consulting service should be given priority as the core function of the BDC.

MUHD TIRMIZI YEW, Petaling Jaya

Source: NST – April 30, 2008