Gov’t to focus on improving self-sufficiency, enhancing food security: Anwar

 

The government will focus on improving the self-sufficiency level and strengthening food security, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said it included increasing the area under crop cultivation but optimising the use of existing farmland.

"(in addition), increase the resilience of the agro-food sector through the application of agricultural technology to increase productivity for the benefit of small farmers.

"This includes regenerative agriculture approaches, climate resilient crops as well as the use of artificial intelligence technology," he said when launching the ‘Madani Economy: Empowering the People’ initiative in Kuala Lumpur today.

To support the local food industry to increase production, Anwar, the Finance Minister said a total of RM200 million has been allocated under Agrobank to help provide financing facilities especially for the application of modern agricultural technology.

Apart from this, he said the government has announced a commitment to improve the irrigation infrastructure in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority areas in Kedah and Perlis.

This is to increase the productivity of rice production to five seasons within two years involving infrastructure worth RM3 billion, Anwar said.

"Malaysia is rich in natural treasures and has the oldest forests in the world. The plantation sector and downstream industries are essential sources of the economy but we need to reassess our approach to land use.

"So far, a total of 5.7 million hectares of land has been used for oil palm cultivation and almost two million hectares for rubber," said Anwar.

He added that one of his aspirations is to create biodiversity assets in the carbon trading market through conservation and reforestation efforts.

"Madani Economy: Empowering the People" sets seven benchmarks as medium-term targets to be achieved before 10 years.

“Malaysia is ranked among the 30 largest economies in the world, the Global Competitiveness Index ranks 12th in the world and the percentage of labour income reaches 45 percent of total revenue.

Also, present at the event were Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

- Bernama