By Adrian Lim
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24: The federal government aims to increase rice production and grow the ruminant industry as part of food security enhancement efforts and catalyse a quantum leap for the growth of the agriculture sector in Malaysia.
Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said the Federal Cabinet Committee on food security chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has discussed two important segments within the agriculture sector that will support the country’s growth.
He disclosed that the two sectors were rice production and the ruminant industry.
“These two sectors are expected to provide higher food self-sufficiency levels (SSL) in the next five to 10 years.
“The Cabinet Committee has decided to set up the National Ruminant Council which is currently in the process of being established.
“This will strengthen the ruminant industry in Malaysia including the production of dairy products,” he said during his ministerial reply in Parliament here today.
Kiandee was responding to Jempol MP Datuk Mohd Salim Sharif who asked about the direction taken by the federal government to transform the agriculture sector in the country.
Mohd Salim also asked about food security policies by the federal government which will improve the country’s SSL.
Kiandee added the agriculture and food industries ministry will look into high yield rice fields, use of technology, varieties of paddy seed and optimise the use of land outside paddy fields to plant rice as part of efforts by the federal government to boost rice production in the country.
He gave assuranc ethat the federal government will continue to provide higher SSL especially on important food products for the people. — DayakDaily
