KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry has agreed in principle for state governments to maintain the gazette on Permanent Food Production Parks, as well as to gazette those that have not yet been declared as such.

The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (Sept 21) that the matter was discussed at a meeting with the respective state executive councils chaired by its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (pic) the day before.

The meeting also agreed in principle for the states to provide allocation for maintenance of these parks, as well as on the establishment and terms of reference of each District Agricultural Land Development Committee as a platform to process the development of privately-owned land for agricultural purposes.

"It is a concerted effort to optimise existing and undeveloped agricultural land in increasing the country's food production.

"This committee will be chaired by a district official and coordinated by the relevant District and Land Office with members from various departments/agencies at district level,” it said, adding that the move was in line with the ministry's aspiration to strengthen synergy with state governments to guarantee the security of the country's food supply.

Apart from that, the meeting also discussed the security status of the country's food supply, which is projected to remain stable and sufficient, especially for eight main commodities – rice, chicken, beef/buffalo meat, eggs, fresh milk, fish, fruit and vegetables.

The meeting also discussed the direction of the decision made at the 139th Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers' Meeting on the proposed synergy between the Federal and state governments to strengthen the security of the country’s food supply.

This was in line with the aspirations of thje National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030, the statement added. – Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/21/agriculture-ministry-state-govts-to-maintain-gazette-on-food-production-parks