Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has approved an allocation of RM9.25 million for the first phase of its initiative to strengthen Johor’s food security agenda through collaboration with the Johor state government this year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip announced that the allocation will fund several key projects. These include the Agro-Food Industry and High-Potential Commodity Empowerment Programme, the Agro-Based Industry Development Empowerment Programme, the Johor Future Agropreneur (JFA) Programme, and the Segamat Agromix Project (Phase 3).

The funding also supports the High-Tech System Development Project at the FAMA Food Processing Centre in Rengit, the Golden Melon Fertigation Productivity Enhancement Project at PPK Pekan Nanas, and the development of mechanisation and automation systems for MD2 pineapple farm machinery.

Datuk Zahari Sarip expressed gratitude to KPKM for the approved allocation, emphasizing its role in fortifying the food security agenda through the 2025 Cooperation Programme between KPKM and the Johor state government. He assured that the state government is committed to effectively utilizing the development allocation to achieve the intended objectives.

Further, he mentioned that the state government has initiated a coordination meeting with KPKM, along with relevant departments and agencies, to ensure that projects and programmes commence swiftly and are completed within the stipulated timeline or earlier.