KLANG, April 16 — All departments and agencies under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry are monitoring the current hot spell that is expected to affect the country’s agriculture sector.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, said the country’s agricultural stock is still under control, and the ministry would ensure an adequate supply of daily necessities.

"Our officers, such as at the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), the Farmers Organisation Authority and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, are monitoring the situation from time to time to ensure that our stocks are available and sufficient,” he told reporters after launching the Agro Madani Sales Programme at Kampung Johan Setia here today.

Mohamad said the ministry has also drawn up an emergency plan in the event of a food supply shortage due to the current hot weather.

"We will import (agricultural goods) if need be, and we already listed the source countries if we have to do it urgently,” he said.

Regarding the Agro Madani Sales programme, Mohamad said the pilot project would be expanded to nine other locations in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

"Through this programme, commodities sold are expanded to include fresh produce and controlled items with 10 to 30 per cent discount for selected products.

"Among the focus areas are retail outlets of agencies under the ministry, People’s Housing Projects, residential areas, urban poor areas and the suburbs,” he said.

Mohamad said the ministry is targeting to generate around RM150,000 in sales through 10 series of the programme and attract 5,000 visitors.

He said the location of the next event would be announced on Fama’s official social media platform soon. — Bernama