KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has stepped up inter-agency preparedness measures to address the Super El Nino phenomenon, which is already showing early effects in the country.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the national agrofood sector was facing mounting challenges due to the Middle East conflict and the threat of extreme heat and prolonged dry weather, which could disrupt the supply of staple foods.
He said particular attention was being given to monitoring dam water levels, especially at the Ahning Dam in Kedah, where levels remained at alert and warning thresholds, posing a risk to padi cultivation in the major Muda granary area.
"The ministry has mobilised inter-agency preparedness measures through an integrated approach and the use of technology.
"These include implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), expanding the Smart Irrigation Monitoring System, introducing alternative water management methods for padi cultivation and promoting controlled environment agriculture to ensure sustainable water security,” he said when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2027 for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 26).
Mohamad said extensive preparations were also under way in the fisheries sector, as rising sea temperatures were altering fish distribution patterns, affecting aquaculture water quality and threatening reef ecosystems.
He said capture fisheries and aquaculture production in affected areas could decline by 5,624 metric tonnes, or 1.5 per cent, this year.
To address these challenges, he said the ministry had taken proactive measures, including the use of early weather warning systems, the MyFSI location tracking system and the Aquaculture Disaster Mitigation Plan, alongside the implementation of the Fisheries Sector Climate Change Action Plan 2024-2030.
"Under Budget 2027, RM125.9mil in fiscal support has been allocated, including RM30 million for an additional 3,000 special small-boat licences, RM30mil for Agro BioFloc financing, RM10mil for Capture Fisheries Catalyst Financing and RM2.3mil for biofisheries and biosecurity initiatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad assured that the country's frozen fish reserves were being increased, with total stocks reaching 10,000 metric tonnes as of Sept 30 to prepare for the Super El Nino phenomenon and the Northeast Monsoon.
Overall, he said the ministry received an allocation of RM6.92bil under Budget 2027, comprising RM4.85bil for operating expenditure and RM2.07bil for development expenditure.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues on Oct 27. – Bernama
