Floods in 2021, 2022 caused RM138.6mil to agriculture, fisheries, livestock sectors

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2021 and 2022 floods caused some RM138.6 mil in losses for the agricultural, fisheries and livestock sectors, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin said the 2021 floods caused the said sectors losses of more than RM90 mil, affecting some 7,578 agrofood industry players.

The 2022 floods caused estimated losses of up to RM48.6 mil, affecting some 7,578 agrofood industry players, he added.

“RM79.3 mil of aid was channeled by the government towards farmers and other agrofood players affected by the floods through various programmes.

“This includes aid to farmers affected by disease outbreaks and natural disasters,” he said in response to a question from Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) in parliament on Tuesday (June 13).

Kiandee had asked about the effects of climate change, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and pesticides on food production over the past two years and steps taken to mitigate its impact on national food security.

To this, Chan outlined several strategies taken by the ministry to tackle this.

Among them are encouraging the use of climate-based technology such as controlled environment farming; stepping up research and development efforts; and improving drainage and irrigation infrastructure at paddy fields, among others.

He added that the high temperature experienced by Malaysia also brought positive effects to crops.

“This causes fruits such as watermelon and mangoes to have a sweeter taste. The heat can also result in mangoes ripening faster,” he said.