PUTRAJAYA, 16 January – This year, Malaysia's agricultural sector will continue to prioritize the paddy and rice industry as well as ruminants, with a particular focus on increasing local rice production, which currently meets only 56 percent of the nation's needs, a significant drop from the previous 71 percent.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, attributed the decline in rice yields to factors like floods and droughts. To address this issue, the government is set to introduce strategic measures aimed at boosting local rice production.

A new initiative being introduced involves every officer and employee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) planting vegetables or other crops at home. This idea, proposed by Secretary-General Datuk Seri Hisham, is intended to lead by example, encouraging others to engage in agriculture practices.

Additionally, to strengthen the country's livestock sector, the government plans to import livestock seeds, including cows, goats, and buffaloes, to increase the local animal population.