By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, July 25 — Sugarcane and starfruit are the only fresh produce in Selangor that recorded more than 100 per cent in self-sufficiency level (SSL) at 211.8 per cent and 107.7 per cent respectively.
State executive councillor for agriculture Izham Hashim said that the SSL of food supply in the state is still low, especially when it comes to protein-based foods like fresh meat and lamb, where it is currently below 5 per cent.
He said given the present SSL indication, Selangor’s local food supply could only last a year if the state government does not import food from other countries.
“Currently, sugarcane and starfruit are the only fresh produce in Selangor that recorded more than 100 per cent SSL, while poultry goods were at 64.73 per cent and eggs at 44.91 per cent.
“Paddy harvest in the state generate 33 per cent in SSL. In terms of vegetables, the SSL for mustard leaf is 56.4 per cent, cucumber at 26.7 per cent, chillies at 9.1 per cent, and for ginger it is merely 3.8 per cent,” he said when responding to a question from Bukit Melawati state assemblyman Juwairiya Zulkifli on food security during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting, here today.
Izham said that the state government has implemented the Selangor Agro Transformation Plan (PeTA) in order to carry out the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021–2025.
“PeTA comprises five main policies namely High Value Products, Agriculture Modernisation, Complete Supply Chain, Agropreneur Development and Agro Tourism.
“The objectives include boosting food security in the state through expanding agricultural productivity, the food sector’s contribution to Selangor’s gross domestic product, and opportunities for the youths in generating income,” he said.
Izham stated that the PeTA was implemented in nine clusters, namely Agro Prihatin, Agro Komuniti, Agro Centre of Excellence, Agropreneur Selangor, Agro Pelancongan, Maju Agro Selangor, Agro Niaga, E-Agro and Smart Selangor Agro Park (SSAP) and Smart Selangor Agro Farm.
Under the Agro Prihatin cluster, the state government has provided equipment support to farmers earning RM2,000 or less a month, covering 100 laptops and 50 tablets to those who qualify.
