Budget 2023’s focus on food security issues needs to be supported

20 10月 Budget 2023’s focus on food security issues needs to be supported

Budget 2023’s focus on food security issues needs to be supported

The Government’s desire to utilise abandoned lands belonging to the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), Felcra Berhad, the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) and agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) with an area of 323.75 hectares for food crops is a very good policy and should be supported.

Budget 2023 as tabled by the Minister of Finance in the Dewan Rakyat in the afternoon of 7 Oct 2022 indicates that the Government is deeply committed towards prioritising the interests of the rakyat by planning ahead to ensure food security in the future.

RM250 million has been allocated for agro-technology companies or start-ups.

An investment of RM200 million by Khazanah Nasional Berhad under the Impact Fund will also be provided to improve the income and productivity of smallholders.

All the proposals in the Budget this time have resulted in a complete response plan to on food security issues that arose as a result of uncertainties in  situations such as the Russia-Ukraine War.

Industry players including farmers, fishermen and smallholders are urged to join the Government in playing a role to ensure that our country will not face problems related with food security that affects everyone and our nation.