KOTA KINABALU: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will redevelop an agriculture-based food database with the latest data as a reference for food issues in the country.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, said there was a system available but it was currently stagnant.
"Regarding the 'database', we will call the people involved to get the best and cheapest way for us to redevelop (the system). It (the system) was available before, but it is stagnant.
"Now we find it necessary. Sometimes we see that vegetables here are expensive, but in other places are cheaper. If there is a database, we can inform other farmers and it will be well monitored," he said after launching Agrobank's mobile bank in Lintasan Deasoka today.
Present was Deputy Minister Chan Foong Hin.
Mohamad said the system would be implemented as soon as possible to ensure that food security in the country was at a satisfactory level.
Last Saturday, Mohamad said using the system, the government could estimate and make early preparations in case of emergencies.
"As a long-term measure, the ministry would create a system to get information in real-time about the vegetable supply situation in the country.
"This is to enable the monitoring of the types of vegetables being grown, output, production location, volume of imports and exports, demand volume and production costs," he said.
On the mobile bank, two Agrobank Mobile Banks will be ready for Lahad Datu, Tawau, and Beaufort residents starting next month.
The mobile bank is part of Agrobank's commitment to helping the unserved and underserved community achieve financial inclusion in line with the goals of Bank Negara Malaysia and Malaysia Madani.
Mohamad said the programme was timely because rural folk such as those who lived in in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu, had to travel some 73.8 km to the nearest town to get banking access.
"Through the mobile bank, people in these districts can easily access automated teller machine (ATM) services as well as get advisory services on the products offered by Agrobank.
"Agrobank's efforts match with the government's wish to increase financial inclusion and simultaneously help develop the country's agricultural sector," he said.
Agrobank president and chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin said agriculture was one of the most important economic sources in Sabah, and he was confident that mobile bank services could boost the state's economy.
"This effort is not the first from Agrobank. Previously, this kind of initiative was introduced in the 1970s, known as the Bank Pertanian Malaysia mobile bank.
"In November 1994, Agrobank also provided the first floating bank in Malaysia, known as the Patriot Rejang, which went down Sungai Rejang to provide basic banking access for communities around Kapit, Sibu and Belaga in Sarawak.
"Most recently, in 2022, Agrobank also launched a mobile bank with the same mechanism in Sarawak," he said.
He said Agrobank's banking services were mostly in rural areas.
"We believe that comprehensive financial services are the main pillar to boost economic growth, thus increasing the empowerment of individuals and communities."