GEORGE TOWN: The government is preparing for the possible impact of year-end El Nino on food security, with the Malaysian Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) having submitted a report on measures needed to mitigate the effects of the phenomenon expected at the end of this year and early next year.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the report included measures involving water storage, drainage systems and other preparations during the drought.
“MADA has conducted a study on the impact that could occur and submitted it to the ministry.
"Among the preparations is prioritising water storage.
“First, water for consumption must be prioritised, followed by storing water in areas that can serve as reservoirs and so on.
"The drainage system is also part of the preparations,” he said after attending a dinner with representatives from 43 Village Community Management Councils throughout Penang.
Budget 2027 is scheduled to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (sept 9).
Mohamad said the findings had been brought to the food security committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He also expressed confidence that the Finance Ministry would provide additional allocations to his ministry to prepare for El Nino.
“I am confident that the Finance Minister will provide some allocation to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to prepare for El Nino, as we know temperatures could reach 40°C.
“Based on studies by experts, aquaculture could face problems and they may require measures such as roofing.
"There could be additional allocations, but I am not certain yet,” he said.
Mohamad said the MADA report had been completed and submitted, adding that a meeting with Fadillah had also been held the previous day.
Mohamad, who is Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president, was accompanied by Amanah secretary-general Muhammad Faiz Fadzil, Penang Amanah vice-chairman Datuk Azrul Mahathir Aziz and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
