THE Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry, which has made food security a top priority, hopes Putrajaya will allocate to it enough funds for it to meet its target to boost rice production, said Salahuddin Ayub.

The minister hoped to see an allocation equivalent to if not more than last year’s in Budget 2019, which will be tabled on November 2.

The Barisan Nasional government had allocated RM6.5 billion to the ministry in last year’s budget.

Funds were provided for fertilisers, irrigation systems and replanting programme, among others.

Salahuddin said he had informed the prime minister in a meeting yesterday that the ministry was focusing on ensuring food security..

He said the ministry was working towards increasing Malaysia’s self-sufficiency level by 5% in two to three years.

“Our self-sufficiency in rice production is at 70%. We have to import 30% for our stockpile. The 5% projection is achievable if we can have enough funds,” he said.

“We have to ask that the government give some attention to food security in Budget 2019,” he told a press conference at a national level Veterinary Services Department convention and Innovation Day in Prai, Penang.

“To ensure food security, the government needs to invest money too, just like how it spends billions on defence to ensure the country’s safety. We also need to ensure we have enough food at times of peace.”

Salahuddin also said the ministry, with the support of the Veterinary Services Department, is also working on strategies to boost meat production to an SSL of 30%.

Malaysia’s SSL for meat was only at 23.4% last year, meaning the country relies on meat imports.

“We are planning to reach 30% in five years. It’s a practical target,” the minister, who is Pulai MP, said.

Salahuddin said companies, including foreign investors, have sent the ministry joint venture proposals for large scale livestock farming.

The ministry will also rope in villages to rear livestock to boost meat production.

“We are looking at introducing a new model involving village communities. Statistics show that they can help boost the local meat production.

“We will present the model soon. The project will be supervised by the ministry,” he said.

Salahuddin also said the ministry is working on increasing the SSL for fresh milk from 58% to 100% in five years.

Malaysia has several dairy farming zones such as the “dairy valleys” in Muadzam (Pekan-Segamat-Bandar Muadzam), Johor (Kluang-Batu Pahat-Kota Tinggi-Johor Baru), North (Sungai Siput-Pondok Tanjung-Penang-Kedah), Sabah (Tenom-Keningau-Ranau-Kota Marudu-Kudat), and Sarawak (Kuching-Serian). – October 9, 2018.