JOHOR BARU: Cooperatives in the agriculture sector should further expand their businesses to help strengthen the country’s food security, stated the top body concerned.Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (SKM) deputy executive chairman Amran Abd Kadir said the government has provided ample allocations and funding to help cooperatives expand further.
“We encourage cooperatives in the agriculture sector to get involved in the production of rice and other food to support efforts to increase the food supply.
“Cooperatives that are in other sectors are encouraged to look into agriculture, while those already in the sector should consider expanding.
“If possible, we want cooperatives to be the main contributor to food production in Malaysia,” he told reporters after attending the Johor Cooperatives Award ceremony here yesterday.
Also present was state youth, sports, entrepreneur development, cooperatives, and human resources committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.
Amran said the RM100mil financing fund for cooperatives announced under Budget 2024 showed the importance of cooperatives.
“This shows that the government sees the importance of cooperatives in developing the country’s economy and as a measure to manage the rising cost of living,” he added.
Mohd Hairi said the state government will continue to assist cooperatives in growing their businesses.
“The state approved RM6.6mil between 2016 and 2023 for various initiatives in support of cooperatives.
“This year, the state approved a RM1.8mil allocation for cooperatives in Johor,” he said, adding that Johor had 1,462 cooperatives with 463,067 members.
