
by HIDAYATH HISHAM
THE government is implementing a two-year pilot project for five-season paddy cultivation to strengthen national food supply security, including addressing risks posed by climate change and global supply chain disruptions.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (picture) said the project, which began in phases last year, covers 3,000 hectares within the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) area.
“In addition, the beef cattle industry is being strengthened for breeding purposes through the Ruminant Enhancement Programme, the Ruminant Livestock Breeding Programme, as well as the Beef Cattle Productivity Incentive Programme, towards achieving a national average calving rate of 60%.
“The adaptation of modern agricultural technology and innovation to modernise the agri-food sector is also being reinforced to maximise productivity and improve food supply levels,” he told the Dewan Negara today.
He was replying to a question from Senator Datuk Sivaraj Chandran on efforts to strengthen national food policies in the face of global disruptions such as climate change and supply chain interruptions.
Mohamad said the government is also strengthening the Aquaculture Broodstock and Seed Development Plan to produce broodstock and seed that are more resilient to the effects of climate change through the Nucleus Breeding Centre (NBC) and Broodstock Multiplier Centre (BMC) programmes.
Research and development (R&D) initiatives are being intensified to develop paddy varieties that can withstand extreme weather, alongside the adoption of climate-smart agriculture technologies and an Early Climate Warning System.
He added that the government has strengthened the Paddy Crop Disaster Fund to ease the burden on farmers who suffer yield losses due to natural disasters, crop diseases or pest attacks.
“More farmers are being encouraged to participate in the Paddy Crop Takaful Scheme, which provides compensation of up to RM3,000 per hectare for crop damage suffered by small-scale paddy farmers affected by disasters.
“The ministry is confident that the strategies and initiatives currently being implemented will strengthen national food supply security and reduce dependence on imports in the agri-food sector,” he said.
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