The gazetting of red chillies as a controlled item for more comprehensive and effective data management, as well as the formation of a sea fishing consortium, were among the topics discussed at today’s meeting of the Executive Committee on National Food Security here as reported by Bernama.
The hybrid meeting, presided over by Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee, also discussed improving agrofood biosecurity control by establishing a one-stop quarantine centre (OSOC).
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) today, the meeting was also informed of the country’s performance, which showed a nine-step increase to 39th in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI).
“The meeting was also informed of the sharing of laboratory facilities in providing food analysis services for the country.” The meeting also agreed to use scorecards designed specifically to track the implementation of the five core strategies of the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021-2030, which are based on the cluster approach.
On June 9, the government agreed to implement this plan in order to ensure Malaysia’s preparedness in the event of a food security crisis.
MAFI stated that the ideas and suggestions presented by the Executive Committee at the meeting would be studied and improved before being forwarded to the Food Security Cabinet Committee (FSCC), which was scheduled to meet soon.
The Agriculture and Food Industries Minister chairs the Executive Committee, which is made up of the secretary-general of the ministry, heads of departments and agencies, academics, industry players, and representatives from non-governmental organisations.
According to MAFI, state government involvement would be a catalyst for synergy between the federal and respective state governments in driving the country’s food security agenda toward enhancing Keluarga Malaysia’s prosperity.
