MIRI: Sarawak is reviving its agricultural sector with pineapple and rice being the main focus in an effort to address food security in Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic).

The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the ministry was willing to spend more in the agricultural sector to guarantee future food security.

“That’s why every time I speak, I always emphasise food security, so no one should question why the allocation for rice is so large.

“I hope that those involved can ensure Sarawak becomes the leading state in Malaysia’s food security strategy,” he said after a goodwill programme with fishermen in conjunction with the Road to Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) tour here yesterday.

He also urged entrepreneurs in Sarawak to take part in Maha 2024, to be held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang from Sept 11 to 22, Bernama reported.

Speaking at the event, Mohamad added the fishing community was also important as they contribute to ensuring a sufficient food supply in the country.

“That’s why the government, through the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia, continues to provide fishermen’s livelihood allowance to 38,000 fishermen throughout Malaysia with an allocation of RM136.8mil.

“Out of that number, a total of 5,490 recipients are from Sarawak,” he said.

The minister added that the government also provided fishermen in the state with other forms of aid such as the B40 fishermen’s capacity building programme, fishing community fishing facility development, large-scale expansion for fishermen’s association communities, improvement or upgrading of jetty infrastructure facilities, development of clustered fishermen’s association economic projects, and the agro-food mechanisation and automation programme.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/12/mat-sabu-swak-reviving-agri-sector-for-food-security