A SPECIAL committee will be set up involving the federal and Sarawak governments to further strengthen the country’s food security. 

Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Ronald Kiandee said the establishment of the special committee comes following his discussions with Sarawak Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Stephen Rundi Utom and several senior officials from the two ministries. 

“We need involvement at the state and federal levels in facing the challenges (in ensuring the country’s food security),” he told reporters after attending a dinner organised by the Sarawak ministry. 

Rundi and Padiberas Nasional Bhd chairman Rohani Karim were also present at the ceremony. 

In his first visit to the state since holding the portfolio, Ronald paid Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg a courtesy call and visited the Batang Lupar Integrated Agricultural Area in Sri Aman, about 190km from Kuching.

Ronald will continue his programme tomorrow by holding a friendly tour at Medan Niaga Satok. 

Meanwhile, Rundi, who also spoke at the event, said his ministry is now focusing on creating more agro-technology parks as a strategy to transform the agricultural community in Sarawak.

According to him, this effort needs the support of the federal government to realise its target of further improving the living standards of the farming community in the state.

“There are a lot of new things we have to learn to achieve it and at the same time, we can’t repeat the old mistakes,” he added. – Bernama, April 1, 2022.