adminMELAKA: The country’s food supply is currently sufficient and stable, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said, however, that price changes may occur if the current supply runs out and is then replaced by the arrival of new stock at current prices.
“It depends on the current situation. A prolonged conflict (in West Asia) that affects global oil supplies will have a major impact on the cost of food production and distribution around the world,” he said.
Mohamad said this at a press conference after the Sentuhan Agro MADANI programme with Melaka state farmer leaders at Bukit Katil here today.
He said the government was managing the situation within a crisis preparedness framework with a continuous monitoring approach and immediate action if the situation worsened.
Among the activities being carried out is a discussion with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) which will be held in the near future if there are any changes to subsidies or assistance to the people.
“We are working in a crisis preparedness mode and not an emergency. The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) can call us at any time for coordination and further instructions,” he said.
Mohamad said agencies under the ministry, including the Farmers’ Organisations Board (LPP), would continue to provide the latest information to farmers to ensure that any changes could be dealt with quickly and effectively.
He said good relations with network countries would also give Malaysia an advantage in offering prices for agricultural needs such as fertiliser.
“We are very dependent on these imported goods. So we will discuss in depth, including with the Ministry of National Development and Reform, regarding the prices of imported goods and so on if there are price changes,” he said.
Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security also channeled development allocations this year to several agencies in Melaka to strengthen the food supply chain and increase the productivity of the agro-food sector.
Among the recipients are the Farmers’ Organisations Board (RM1.8 million), the Department of Agriculture (RM3.55 million), the Federal Agricultural Marketing Board (RM400,000), the Malaysian Fisheries Development Board (RM1.15 million), the Veterinary Services Department (RM88,000), the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) (RM558,000) and the Malaysian Fisheries Department (RM1.3 million).
The program was also enlivened by the MADANI Agro Sales which offered various basic necessities at prices up to 30 percent lower through collaboration with agencies under the ministry.
At the same time, he said farmers in Melaka recorded a membership of 16,135 members under five Area Farmers’ Organisations (PPK), thus reflecting the strength of the grassroots community in supporting the development of the country’s agro-food sector.
— BERNAMA
