Penang must focus on food security in facing inflation woes: governor

GEORGE TOWN – Penang needs to focus on food security programmes so that its people can face the challenge of inflation or hyperinflation, which has been a hot topic of discussion among economic analysts recently.

Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak said although Penang does not have vast agricultural land, the state government needed to increase crop productivity through the use of high-yielding crop varieties in a short period of time and employ various modern technologies.

“For example, the padi production recorded by this state has one of the highest yields in Malaysia.

“Padi production from Penang in 2020 has ranked first with an average padi production yield of 5.214 metric tonnes per ha, compared to 5.012 metric tonnes per ha recorded in 2019.

“In 2022, the state Agriculture Department aims to increase the average yield of padi to 6.2 metric tonnes per ha,” he said when officiating the opening of the new meeting of the Penang state assembly today.

Apart from padi yield, Fuzi said that Penang is also the highest producer of caged fish in Malaysia for three consecutive years, namely in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

“In 2021, a total of 12,039.45 metric tonnes with a value of RM260.8 million was recorded involving 226 farmers,” he said in his speech.

Fuzi said that to ensure the sustainability and transformation of the agricultural sector, the role and active participation of private companies is very much needed, especially for large-scale and high-tech agriculture.

However, he said, private investment in the agro-food industry is still low compared to the plantation, manufacturing and services industries.

“In this regard, close cooperation between the federal and state governments is important to identify space and opportunities for the development of the agricultural sector.”

Fuzi also suggested that all state assemblymen debate and give thoughtful suggestions to enable the state government to take conclusive action in overcoming various problems related to the food sector.

“These long-term proposals and measures are also necessary, especially in overcoming the problem of flies that affect public health in Seberang Prai Selatan, and to the private sector investment in agro-food and livestock.”

The Penang assembly is taking place again at its official building in Light Street here today after being closed for renovation works since 2019.

The inaugural physical session is scheduled to begin today and will continue from May 30 to June 3. – The Vibes, May 27, 2022