Consumer demand, along with currency exchange factors, have caused the food import bill to rise to RM62 billion a year compared to RM48 billion before, said Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Saying that the country cannot be reliant on food imports in the long term, the deputy prime minister – who also chairs the cost of living implementation and monitoring committee – stressed that all ministries and government departments and agencies must focus on food security and ensure domestic demand is met.
“Being reliant on food imports will lead the country, technically, to bankruptcy.
“If we can save this RM62 billion with local food production, we would not only reduce foreign exchange but we will also be able to stimulate the domestic economy,” the rural and regional development minister said.
Zahid was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Lembaga Kemajuan Johor Tenggara (Kejora) and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), which was also witnessed by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Zahid said agencies under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry must work together with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to help the country reduce dependency on food imports.
“In matters like these, we have to be proactive not only in terms of agro-food but also livestock and these efforts must be carried out holistically.
He said all parties must no longer work in silo, and move forward as one entity, adding that this way, the people would be able to recognise and appreciate efforts taken.
On today’s MoU, Zahid said it was an initial step taken by Mardi and rural development agencies to help the agriculture ministry boost food production.
“This not only helps (the agriculture ministry), but also helps the country and of course, the products from Mardi’s research efforts will be used for commercialisation.
“They are high-tech agricultural products. This means that we will have a ‘low-cost, high-impact’ approach,” he said.
Zahid said the MoU includes cooperation in carrying out technology transfer activities, and knowledge and technical advisory services produced from research by Mardi to agents and entrepreneurs in the southeast Johor region.
Also, through the same collaboration, he said Kejora will develop a coconut plantation along with a coconut milk processing factory, with an expected average production of 600 tonnes of coconuts per year.
He said the project is expected to have a direct impact on 110 residents in the Kejora region, comprising management and operation staff of the coconut milk processing factory as well as plantation workers.
