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KUALA TERENGGANU – The introduction of new alternative crops such as highly nutritious root vegetables can help strengthen the nation’s food security, said Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid.
Haslina said it could reduce the country’s dependence on single sources, adding that the transfer of root crop planting knowledge to target groups can also help them generate income.
Speaking at the Agrobiodiversity and Agroenvironment Symposium 2022 here today, Haslina said strengthening food security in the face of climate change is the core of the climate-smart agriculture research led by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi).
“Food security is one of the main elements supported by the ministry, and through research, Mardi continuously helps the ministry ensure the country’s self-sufficiency level for food is always at an optimal level,” she said.
Also present at the symposium was Mardi director-general Datuk Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani.
Haslina said in addition to actively developing rice varieties, Mardi is also studying the effects of climate change, such as high temperatures and haze, on crops like grain corn, pineapple, and papaya, as well as that of insects in the highlands.
“Research and technological innovation planned and carried out at Mardi is to support the ministry and related agencies such as the Environment and Water Ministry in arranging the agricultural sector’s climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies,” she said. – Bernama, October 4, 2022