Mohd Zolkafly: Perak has potential to become a key national food supplier in the future.
PERAK aims to increase food production to 1.2 billion kilogrammes by 2030, while expanding cultivated areas from 4.6% to 11% of the state.
State agriculture committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun said this was part of its long-term plans to ensure food security continuity in the state amid current and future global geopolitical changes.
The move, he said, also aimed to reduce reliance on food imports.
“This is the state’s short- to long-term plans to prepare for any eventualities to ensure sufficient supplies in the crop and livestock sectors.
“With these measures, I am confident that through synergy and close collaboration between agencies, Perak will remain one of the country’s leading food producers and has the potential to become a key national food supplier in the future.”
He said this in reply to Sallehuddin Abdullah (PN-Selinsing) during the state assembly sitting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan in Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab, Ipoh.
Mohd Zolkafly said that for the medium term, advisory services, expert consultations and extension activities were being enhanced in line with the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
He said efforts would focus on modernising farming systems through automation, climate-resilient crop varieties, expansion of new cultivation areas, diversification into staple crops such as corn and tubers, as well as the development of post-harvest infrastructure and sustainable farming based on a circular economy.
“All poultry farms in the state are required to adopt closed-house farming systems by January 2027 to minimise disease outbreaks and environmental contamination, following amendments to the Poultry Farming Enactment,” he added.
Mohd Zolkafly said the state Veterinary Department also provided continuous online and physical training to ensure livestock farmers were updated on the latest technologies and standards.
“The transformation of livestock farming models aims to build resilience against geopolitical disruptions and disease outbreaks, while maintaining the state’s disease-free status and ensuring feed quality through continuous monitoring, enforcement and training,” he added.
Separately, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said about 12ha of idle land in Bukit Sapi, Lenggong, had been redeveloped into padi cultivation areas from 2022 to 2025.
He said the redevelopment included field levelling, liming, construction and repair of bunds, upgrading of drainage as well as provision of equipment and small machinery.
“Under Perak State Structural Plan 2040, several strategies have been outlined to strengthen the agri-food sector.
“These ensures strategic agri-food areas are preserved as agricultural zones, covering the padi granaries in Kerian-Sungai Manik and Seberang Perak, spanning 35,112ha,” he said in reply to Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir (BN-Ayer Kuning).
“There are also six food crop support zones, spanning 691.26ha, 96 existing livestock grazing fields totalling 5,453.9ha, aquaculture clusters in Tasik Temengor and Sungai Perak, as well as 29 Aquaculture Industrial Zones covering 19,372ha,” Saarani added.
