State-level Food Security Policy Committees established - MAFI

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 15 -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) said that state-level Food Security Policy Committees have been set up in an effort to strengthen the country’s food security.

MAFI said that the establishment of the committees was agreed in the states’ agriculture executive councillors (excos) joint meeting No. 1/ 2021, held virtually and chaired by Minister of Agriculture and Food Industries, Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, today.

It said that collaborative efforts with the state governments would strengthen the country's agricultural sector through increased productivity, strengthening support systems and services as well as sustainable resource management.

The committees will be chaired by menteris besar, chief ministers or excos in charge of agriculture, and managed by the State Economic Planning Unit, and their membership is also proposed to involve exco in charge of health, well-being or cost of living and environmental portfolios other than agriculture.

“These committees strengthen synergies in enhancing the resilience of the country’s food system towards ensuring the continuity of adequate, safe, nutritious and affordable food supply to the people," said MAFI in a statement today.

It also said that the establishment of the committees would serve as a catalyst for more efficient and sustainable resource management, as well as being complementary to the governance of the existing National Food Security Agenda.

They will also encourage investment and private sector involvement to enhance food security, drive economic growth and improve the well-being of the people, in line with the National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030 and the National Food Security Policy Action Plan, he said.

-- BERNAMA