"Malaysia Spent US$69.36 Billion on Food Imports Over Last 10 Years

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia spent RM221.81 billion (US$69.36 billion) on food imports in the last 10 years, the Lower House of Parliament was told on Monday. Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Deputy Minister Mohd Johari Baharum said, most of the food imports were commodities which were not economically viable in the country due to high production costs and inconducive climate. He said commodity food group imports were processed food, animal feed, temperate climate fruits, vegetables and cereals. "The imports include cocoa, coffee, tea, milk, wheat, apples, oranges, potatoes, salads, rice and flour," he said, replying to opposition's MP, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud Siti Mariah had asked about the types and value of foods imported by Malaysia in the past decade, and the government's strategy to guarantee food security and self-sufficiency. Mohd Johari said the government had implemented various high-impact projects, among them, permanent food production parks, aquaculture industry zone, national feedlot centre, contract farming, agro-based entrepreneurial development and entry-point project under the National Key Economic Areas. "Research and development is focused on increasing sustainable production output, among them, development of variety and breed, seed production, bio-technology and study of diseases. "The government will continue to develop the food supply system network and make it more comprehensive and solid, with the involvement of the private sector, farmers and fishermen to link production and market demand," he said. He noted that increasing food production required the active involvement of the private sector, and to encourage it to continue investing, physical incentives were being proposed for expansion to cover all production and processing activities. "Sufficient soft loans will be provided through Agrobank and Venture Group Economic Fund (TEKUN), and financing access will also be improved," he said. -- BERNAMA