KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has given its assurances that there are sufficient and stable food resources in the event of any emergency or disaster, including war.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said, based on the self-sufficiency rate (SSR) for 2023, selected basic agro-food commodities exceeding a 90 per cent SSR include chicken, eggs, as well as certain types of vegetables and fish.
"Up to this month, the total rice stock stood at 1.1 million metric tonnes, enough for 5.6 months.
"The dairy industry is currently operating at a comfortable level of 60 percent. If there is an emergency, it will not be difficult to meet the consumers' needs," he said in the Dewan Rakyat in reply to Fathul Huzir Ayob (PN-Gerik).
As for commodities with low SSR, Mohamad said among the immediate plans was to diversify import sources to reduce dependence on specific countries.
"The supply sources for meat have been expanded to nine countries namely India, Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, Pakistan, Japan, South Korea, Argentina and South Africa.
"As for rice, the identified source countries are Thailand, Vietnam, India, Pakistan and Myanmar.
"In addition, the ministry also actively implements various initiatives to ensure the availability and adequacy of food specifically for selected commodities.
"InsyaAllah, we guarantee that during an emergency, food will always be available because our relationships with supplier countries are strong and we can meet our needs when necessary."
Fathul had asked about the ministry's immediate plans to secure the country's food resources and establish sufficient reserves in case of a disaster or war, taking into consideration the tension in the South China Sea and the uncertain global climate.