Latest news with #andFoodSecurity
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Mat Sabu: Vegetable supply remains under control despite heatwave
SHAH ALAM: Malaysia's vegetable supply remains under control despite the current heatwave, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. "So far, the hot weather phenomenon has not had a significant impact on the supply of vegetables from the country's main farming areas, and the supply remains abundant. "Only a few areas have been affected. In fact, we have a good supply support system. "For example, if there is a shortage in the northern states, produce from the south will help meet demand. "Thank God, the situation is still under control," he said after launching the 2025 TVET Agriculture Carnival @ KPKM in Kemuning Utama here today. On claims that vegetable prices in Cameron Highlands were rising, Mohamad said it was a common occurrence, as production is weather-dependent. He said the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority would continue to monitor and address the issue. "This is something that tends to happen under certain conditions, but it does not persist continuously," he said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Pineapple farmers' losses drop to RM1.02 mln in 2023
JOHOR BAHRU: Pineapple farmers nationwide saw their losses due to unpredictable weather and natural disasters decrease significantly from RM7 million in 2021 to RM1.02 million last year. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup credited the improvement to research, infrastructure upgrades, and innovations by the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM). 'For example, in 2021, the recorded losses amounted to RM7 million, which then dropped to RM2 million in 2022, RM1.8 million in 2023 and RM1.02 million last year,' he said during a press conference after launching the 2025 International Pineapple Industry Seminar. Arthur highlighted that resilient pineapple varieties and improved data collection have enhanced cultivation efficiency. He urged LPNM to stay proactive in adopting new strategies to tackle natural disaster challenges, ensuring stable farmer incomes and consistent pineapple supply. Key measures include early prevention, efficient irrigation, digital technology, IoT, drones, and solar energy. The seminar, co-organised by LPNM, the Agriculture Ministry, and UPM Alumni Association, drew 400 participants, including industry stakeholders and farm operators.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Ploughing And Harvesting Incentive Payments To Be Completed By July 31
PUTRAJAYA, June 28 (Bernama) -- The government will ensure that all payments for the ploughing and harvesting incentives to farmers are completed by 31 July, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. In a statement today, he said the total amount of the incentive was RM210, comprising RM160 for ploughing and RM50 for harvesting. He added that the matter had been discussed at the Cabinet Committee on National Food Security Policy (FSCC) Meeting 1/2025, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on June 16. 'The meeting focused on strategic initiatives to strengthen the country's food security and boost the growth of the agriculture and agro-food sectors. 'Various other initiatives were also discussed, including strategies to increase the country's self-sufficiency rate (SSR) for beef and buffalo meat to ensure the sustainability of the national food supply,' he said. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), on 11 June, announced an increase in the ploughing incentive rate and introduced a harvesting incentive, providing total cash assistance of RM210 per hectare to padi farmers each season, benefiting around 130,000 farmers across the peninsula. Mohamad also said the government welcomed the development of the Malaysian Food Composition Database (MyFCD) as a strategic component of the National Food Security Policy. He said the meeting had also agreed in principle to explore effective strategies to reduce dependence on grain corn imports to ensure the industry's sustainability and growth. 'In addition, the proposed amendment to the Protection of New Plant Varieties Act 2004 (Act 634) will be implemented to provide more comprehensive protection for new plant varieties,' he said.
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New Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia eyes Japan's flood mitigation system to boost local rice production [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can learn from and emulate Japan's advanced flood control infrastructure to strengthen the country's local rice production. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said Japan's highly efficient flood mitigation system could be adapted to suit Malaysia's conditions in efforts to boost national food security. "I believe there is much we can learn and adapt to our environment, especially their highly efficient flood control system. "This technology can be utilised to help us enhance local rice production, which currently meets only about 60 per cent of the country's actual needs," he said in a Facebook post today. Mohamad is currently in Japan on a working visit aimed at expanding agricultural cooperation between the two countries and engaging with key players in Japan's agricultural industry. He also said he was impressed by Japan's modern farming methods and the use of high-tech equipment, including driverless rice-planting machines powered by information technology. "This is a prime example of how agriculture can be modernised to address labour shortages and climate change challenges," he added. During his visit to rice farming areas in Echizen, Japan, Mohamad met a Malaysian who has been working in the country's agricultural sector for the past three years. "This proves that our youth are capable of mastering international-level agricultural technologies and practices. "This visit provided valuable insights, especially in our efforts to increase domestic rice production and strengthen food security," he said. In addition to visiting rice cultivation sites, Mohamad also held a bilateral meeting with Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Koizumi Shinjiro, in Tokyo.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Perak expands onion cultivation to boost food security
GOPENG: Perak has identified several districts to expand cultivation of BW1-type local onions, aiming to enhance the state's food security and reduce reliance on imports. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad announced that Kuala Kangsar, Muallim, and Perak Tengah have been earmarked as the latest districts for this initiative. He said this follows the success of a one-hectare pilot project at Kampung Kuala Bikam in the Batang Padang district, which yielded 3.3 tonnes of onions during its first harvest last April. "While onion cultivation can technically be done anywhere, it is essential to identify the most suitable land to ensure quality produce. "This is crucial because we have begun branding Perak onions, which are known for their sweet and tasty qualities, attracting buyers," he told reporters after launching the Perak Fama Fest 2025 at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Gopeng today. Also present was Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. The event, running from 29 May to 2 June, features over 200 entrepreneurs showcasing their products. Following the impressive onion production, Arthur also announced an additional RM1.4 million in funding to expand the cultivation area for Perak onions this year. Saarani expressed satisfaction with the growing participation, variety of products, and sales growth among young agropreneurs at the event. "This demonstrates that the efforts by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry together with the main organisers have successfully boosted agricultural output both nationally and within Perak," he said. Saarani also highlighted the risks of dependence on imported agricultural products, citing price volatility linked to currency fluctuations and supply disruptions. "Sometimes, we wait for imported chillies, vegetables, or meat, which makes us reliant on foreign products. This is not ideal for Malaysia." "Lessons were learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and natural disasters affecting producing countries such as India and Turkey, which have driven up prices of essential commodities like onions and wheat. "This is why we want Malaysians, especially in Perak, to engage in agriculture. Food security is one of the nine pillars in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan," he said.
