Kok: New policy to make agro-food sector more market-oriented

PUTRAJAYA: The National Agro-Food Policy (NAFP) for the 2021-2030 period is being formulated to replace the National Commodity Policy (NCP) 2011-2020 in a bid to make the sector more sustainable, competitive and market-oriented, says Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok.

She said her ministry will hold a retreat in February to get proposals from industry players as well as oil palm, rubber, cocoa, pepper and kenaf smallholders.

“The session will be a platform to refine the strategies, targets and action plans under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) as well as review the ministry’s achievements during the 10 years of implementation of the NCP,” she said at the ministry’s monthly assembly here today.

To ensure that the agro-commodity sector continues to enhance the country’s economy and benefit all stakeholders, Kok said the NAFP should be formulated in line with Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (WKB2030).

She described 2020 as a challenging year for the ministry to ensure that all projects and programmes planned under the NCP and 11MP achieve their targets.

An allocation of RM670.12 mil under Budget 2020 to the ministry, including RM410.6 mil as development expenditure for the implementation of 77 projects, should be wisely spent and managed to ensure the programmes are implemented according to plan, she stressed.

“The ministry and its agencies have well-ordered plans to ensure all projects that have been planned are implemented according to schedule and the allocation approved by the government,” she added. – Jan 14, 2020 Bernama

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