According to the Prime Minister, despite uncertainties in global and domestic economic markets, the country’s agro-food sector continues to show positive growth.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that the agro-food sector made a significant contribution to the Domestic Output Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, amounting to RM173.9bil or 11.5%.
This value encompasses agro-food production from the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors.
During the 2023 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah on Saturday (Nov 11), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusoff delivered Anwar’s speech.
As the Finance Minister, Anwar mentioned that one of the challenges the country faces is its dependency on imported food.
He highlighted a growing trend of deficit in the agro-food sector over the past three years, with a dependency on imported food reaching RM75.5bil in 2022.
Anwar emphasized the need to address this challenge in order to enhance the country’s level of food security.
He also expressed the government’s commitment to elevating the agro-food sector, stating that it has the potential to become a significant contributor to the national economy.
Furthermore, Anwar announced that food security is a key focus in the Agenda Sustainable Budget 2024 (Agenda Mampan Belanjawan 2024).
He mentioned that the second budget tabling reflects the government’s efforts to strengthen the survival of the national agro-food industry, increase local food production, and reduce import dependency.
