KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet Committee on National Food Security Policy met today and considered eight working papers - four for approval and another four notice papers.
Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, the meeting focused on strengthening national food security through the implementation of high-impact initiatives, such as the National Milk Industry Project through the Integrated Dairy Farm Development Project in Chuping, Perlis.
It also discussed the proposal for the Implementation of Organic and Bio Fertiliser Supply to increase padi production.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the government, through his ministry, was working on various initiatives to enhance the productivity of the agri-food sector, especially in the fields of technology, modernisation and the agri-food value chain.
They included the Pineapple Industry Development Strategy with the reorganisation of the export market promotion system for higher efficiency and competitiveness.
"To improve the productivity of high-value commodities, the ministry aims to expand the scope of the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Development Board (LPNM) by also promoting other high-value commodities such as coconuts and durians.
"These initiatives are expected to reduce trade deficit, strengthen research and development (R&D) activities for seed variations domestically, enhance the export performance of agriculture-based downstream products, and promote domestic food production activities," he said in a statement today.
As part of efforts to develop Malaysia Madani, Mohamad said it was the responsibility of all parties to ensure the stability and sustainability of the nation's food security, in line with the concept that "Food Security is a Shared Responsibility."
"Therefore, the committee reflects the government's unwavering commitment to strengthen national food security by enhancing productivity, income generation, agricultural technology potential and improving the well-being of the people," he said.
He said moving forward, the government would ensure that a proactive approach is consistently applied to analyse and identify new strategies, initiatives and more comprehensive and strategic interventions to guarantee the sustainability of agri-food input supplies and national food production. -- Bernama
