Kpkt: States’ Percentage Distribution Of Food Source Area According To Potential Area

PUTRAJAYA, April 27 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT), through the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), proposed that the distribution of the percentage of food source areas for each state be made based on potential areas to be used as new food production areas.

The food production areas are the paddy cultivation area and outside the paddy cultivation area, Permanent Food Production Parks (TKPM), TKPM for livestock breeders, grazing fields, and Aquaculture Industrial Zone (ZIA).

KPKT said the proposal was mooted after PLANMalaysia conducted a study on land use planning, for the purpose of maintaining, conserving, and increasing the country's food source areas.

The study has involved a series of dealings with interested agencies, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and agencies under its purview.

“This study suggests the need to determine the appropriate percentage of food source areas to achieve the self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) target, set in the National Agrofood Policy and the 4th National Physical Plan,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that the proposal could reduce dependence on imported food sources, guarantee continued easy access to food for the people, and increase the income level of food producers.

“It also strengthens the country's position in the context of the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), in terms of availability, accessibility or purchasing power, stability and sustainability.

“In addition, it can increase the contribution of the agrofood sector to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and reduce the impact of disasters on the country's food stability, through the identification of new suitable areas,” it said.

KPKT said the proposal is also expected to have financial implications for the federal and state governments, for the provision of infrastructure, and related to the opportunity cost due to the maintenance of food source areas.

PLANMalaysia is the coordinator in facilitating the planning of the country's food source areas.

The 41st meeting of the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN), chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, on April 17, has received a proposal for the determination of 10 per cent of the land area of Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan, to ensure the country's food security.

-- BERNAMA