Kuala Lumpur: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM), through the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), has imported and distributed 1,053,011 coconuts or 1,053 metric tonnes worth RM2.42 million as of March 23 this year. Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup stated that the supply would be channelled through 42 FAMA Operations Centres nationwide and marketed to FAMA retail outlets and major wholesalers to ensure the availability of coconuts in the market.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Minister outlined three short-term intervention measures during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara. The first measure involves increasing coconut imports from Indonesia. The second measure focuses on sourcing supplies from Sabah and Sarawak. The third measure involves FAMA and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority working to procure coconuts from farmers and smallholders nationwide.

The Deputy Minister was responding to a query from Senator Koh Nai Kwong regarding the ministry’s strategies to prevent a future coconut supply crisis. For long-term measures, Arthur mentioned that KPKM encourages large-scale coconut cultivation to boost domestic production and lessen reliance on imports.

He further emphasized that with these measures, KPKM is dedicated to maintaining a stable coconut supply while ensuring prices remain competitive for the benefit of consumers and the coconut-based industry.