Noh Omar: Country taking steps to avoid facing international food shortage crisis
BENTONG: Malaysia is taking steps to increase food production to avoid facing an international food shortage crisis by 2050, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said.
Noh said ample measures must be implemented from now so that Malaysia avoid such a situation.
"At the present rate, the population of the world is increasing every year.
Water time: Adnan (third from left) watering a plant during the launch. With him Liow (second from left) and Noh (fourth from left).
"On the other hand, food is getting scarce due to inadequate land set aside for food production.
"This will result in an acute world food crisis by 2050," he said after opening the Mini Maha programme and health campaign by Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob in Dataran Bentong here.
Also present were Health Minister and Bentong MP Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, state executive councillor Datuk Hoh Khai Mun, Sabai assemblyman Datuk M. Davendran, Ketari assemblyman Datuk Dr Ng Keong Chye and Jenderak assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Jaafar.
Noh said the long term aim of the ministry was to ensure there was enough food for the consumption of the people.
He said at the same time, the ministry must find ways to help increase income for farmers and fishermen.
"The Government are aware of the importance of agriculture and have included the sector as one of the National Key Result Areas.
"A high allocation has been set aside to help farmers increase their yields in addition to other form of subsidies," he said, adding that with the advance of technology and research, the sector was no longer dependable on cheap foreign labour.
On another matter, Noh said the ministry would encourage farmers to plant three types of fruits namely pineapple, jackfruit and starfruit for export to countries like China.
He said more farmers would take up the ventures once the demand increase and price stabilises.
"We would ensure each farmer get a return of about 60% for their hardwork by reducing the role of middlemen.
"In this regard, Pahang as one of the main fruit producers is willing to offer its assistance and more land for cultivation," he said, adding that by increasing the returns for farmers, it could help the Government to meet its objective to raise their standard of living and monthly income.
Citing an example, he said a farmer should get at least RM2.40 for a jackfruit which was sold at RM4 per kilo in the market.
Meanwhile, Adnan said the state would identify suitable tracts of land for the purpose of such new ventures.
He said plans were in the pipeline to increase permanent agriculture sites in Lipis, Raub and Jerantut as presently, there was only one site in Lanchang.
-The Star-
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