The government is prepared to mitigate any impact from the looming El Niño phenomenon on Malaysia’s agriculture sector and food supply, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) said.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the ministry will issue early warnings if prolonged hot weather linked to El Niño begins affecting the country, particularly agricultural production such as vegetables.
“This is a weather phenomenon we must be prepared to face. If significant heat occurs, early warnings will be issued to the public and farmers, especially vegetable growers who may be affected,” he said.
Mohamad said MAFS is closely monitoring potential disruptions to crop yields and stands ready to implement measures to safeguard food production.
He added that Malaysia is also prepared to work with ASEAN partners to ensure sufficient food supplies remain available if El Niño triggers sudden declines in agricultural output across the region.
“We are ready to cooperate with ASEAN countries to support one another should unexpected production disruptions occur due to El Niño,” he said.
The minister noted that regional cooperation will be crucial in maintaining food security amid increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
On June 14, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said it was closely monitoring the development of El Niño, which is expected to influence Malaysia’s weather conditions in the coming months and could persist into early 2027.
The phenomenon is forecast to bring hotter and drier-than-usual conditions, particularly during the Southwest Monsoon season, which began on May 14 and is expected to continue until September.
