KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has sufficient rice stockpiles to last about five and a half months in the event of an emergency, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
This comprises 200,000 tonnes of buffer stock and 889,285 tonnes of trade stocks, added the Agriculture and Food Security Minister.
Mohamad said this was among the measures taken to ensure continuous food supply in the event of disaster.
Other measures include conducting a pilot project for padi planting over land spanning 3,000ha.
This was conducted in stages beginning in 2024 under areas managed by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).
“There are also phased efforts to upgrade and modernise water management systems in the agriculture sector through cooperation with the private sector, as a means to optimise water management during floods and drought,” he said during Question Time at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He also highlighted the padi planting takaful scheme that provides protection for small-scale farmers impacted by disaster where compensation of up to RM3,000 per ha is payable for crop damage.
“A disaster fund also channels immediate aid to target groups impacted by disaster, crop diseases or pest attacks,” he said, adding that some RM5.04mil was channelled to about 2,255 farmers, covering damages over 3,253.4ha.
“The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) is also carrying out research, development and innovation activities to develop variations of padi and other crops that are tolerant to drought, floods and salinity.”
According to Mohamad, efforts are also being taken to strengthen the beef cattle industry for breeding purposes through the Ruminant Enhancement Programme and the Ruminant Livestock Breeding Programme.
“In addition, beef cattle output is being enhanced through the Beef Cattle Productivity Incentive Programme aimed at achieving a national average calving rate of 60%,” he said, noting how the ministry is also developing and expanding early warning systems for pests through close cooperation with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia).
“The ministry remains committed to improving the durability of the national agrofood ecosystem and will work to ensure food security is always retained.”
