Govt Approves RM2.4 Bln To Maintain Food Supply This Year - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet, which met today, has approved RM2.49 billion under the Food Security Policy to maintain food supply in the country this year, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed announced Friday.

He said it was part of the RM4 billion announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently to tackle the problem of food supply and escalating prices of food items in the country.

"The situation (food supply) in the country remains stable. However, following developments in the world market, the Cabinet adopted the Food Security Policy three weeks ago," he told a press conference at his office here.

He said his ministry had identified seven steps to be taken to utilise the allocation.

They are

(i)increase rice production,

(ii) have buffer stocks for the commodity,

(iii) provide incentives to food producers,

(iv) implement productivity programmes for the farming, livestock and fisheries sectors,

(v) strengthen FAMA (Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority) to ensure efficient distribution of agricultural produce,

(vi) implement a "Green Earth" programnme and

(vii) manage idle lands for the purposes of food production.

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