I am compelled to pen some comments on a statement by Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Ismail Sabri Yaakob that the government is prepared to import more fish and vegetables in efforts to stabilise its price.
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A good move, indeed. The hike of necessity goods is unavoidable after the government reduced fuel subsidy recently.
Why do we need to import? Simple answer, because we are not yet self-sufficient in producing it. They call it 'demand over supply'. Malaysians too like imported goods, which they think are of higher quality, cheaper and easier to source.
While there is still a need for import, the government should also multiply effort to help local breeders and farmers expand their business so that our import bill could be reduced. We spend too much on things that we could source locally.
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Instead of wasting a big amount to enrich foreign farmers and breeders, why can't we help our countrymen who are in dire need of some funds to help realize the national dream of being self-sufficient? And why do we have to export some of the goods when our own domestic market is lack of supply?
And who are the people whom we awarded with the import permits (APs)?
Sorry, I have to say this. The more we import, the more it opens the door to corruption. Please do not deny it. Some big tummies in the government sector would want 'some cuts' to AP holders. This people do not care much for local farmers and breeders because there's always money coming from import business.
I came across some pathetic cases where Bumiputra farmers and breeders had to sell off their business to non-Bumi just because their received no support from the ministry.
They are serious in helping the government reduce imports and save the money for other projects. However, after shuttling the ministry a few times - with good project papers - they ended up in frustration.
No ministry official took the courage to visit their farm, let alone spent time reading and studying the papers. Do you know that they developed their own technology that are compatible with those big and modern farmers in South Korea, Japan and the US?
However, the government failed to take note of this. Although MOA officials passed on the proposal to the Ministry of Finance, they took the most simple shortcut by saying such projects are not suitable or the applicants are not 'master growers' or 'not viable' - without even sending an audit team to the site.
There was an application for grant by a Malay farmer to set up a 120-hectare hydroponic farm in Raub, Pahang that would easily reduce imports on such vegetables; but was shot down at the discussion level.
For once, dear Mr Prime Minister Najib, minister Ismail Sabri and others, stop being politicians (because politicians are only good at making promises) but think as leaders who really help the rakyat, especially 'Melayu' who really have potential in this area.
The mechanism to identify and assist potential agro-based business must be reviewed in order to help the industry grow in tandem with local demand and also for export. We can't keep on spending big money on imports forever.
A drastic measure is needed to address this issue. The government has to be more attentive in 'self-sufficient' matter, notably our daily goods.
I hope the MOA will get more allocation under Budget 2015 this Friday, and I hope Ismail Sabri understands my simple language. I don't wanna touch other ministries because when it happens at one, it covers the whole administration.
Do not frustrate our farmers and breeders... and do not frustrate voters who always want a benevolent government. No need introducing this and that mega project if it is not felt by most of our rakyat.
Why do we need to import? Simple answer, because we are not yet self-sufficient in producing it. They call it 'demand over supply'. Malaysians too like imported goods, which they think are of higher quality, cheaper and easier to source.
BERA, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is prepared to import more necessity goods such as fish, vegetables and meat in efforts to avoid price hikes following the government's move to reduce fuel subsidy recently.A good idea, brother Ismail Sabri! However, do read my argument.
Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said only a large quantity of the goods will ensure its price does not shoot up, and at the same time lessen the burden on consumers and the public.
"The ministry will import necessity goods if there is a shortage. Although not encouraged, it is an alternative for the ministry to overcome price increases following the reduced fuel subsidy," he said.
Ismail Sabri, who is also the Bera MP, said the same move was made by the government before and had successfully stabilised the price of goods.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the ministry targets at least 50 per cent of fishermen will pursue caged-fish breeding, while the rest will pursue breeding of freshwater fish by 2020.
He said not even 10 per cent of fishermen in Malaysia, whether sea or river fishermen, are involved in this field.
"We hope the ministry will get more funds in the budget to be tabled this Friday so that more projects can be carried out for farmers and breeders in the country," he added.
While there is still a need for import, the government should also multiply effort to help local breeders and farmers expand their business so that our import bill could be reduced. We spend too much on things that we could source locally.
A staggering RM92 million is spent on food imports to Malaysia every day, marking a disturbing trend where Malaysians are growing to rely on other countries to feed them.Almost RM28 billion! That's a staggering figure. If half of it is spent on potential local farmers and breeders, the result would be tremendous. Such an amount can be translated into soft loans and grant, depending on the feasibility and project's size.
According to the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry, food imports peaked at RM27.93 billion from January to October last year.
This was a huge increase compared to 2010′s imports, which were recorded at RM30.19 billion for the whole year, or RM82 million a day. In 2009, imports were recorded at RM26.28 billion, or RM73 million a day.
Nearly every single food product in local supermarkets today was found to have been imported, including meat products, dairy and eggs, seafood, cereals, vegetables, fruits, sugar and honey, coffee, cocoa, tea and spices, livestock and livestock feed.
Instead of wasting a big amount to enrich foreign farmers and breeders, why can't we help our countrymen who are in dire need of some funds to help realize the national dream of being self-sufficient? And why do we have to export some of the goods when our own domestic market is lack of supply?
And who are the people whom we awarded with the import permits (APs)?
Sorry, I have to say this. The more we import, the more it opens the door to corruption. Please do not deny it. Some big tummies in the government sector would want 'some cuts' to AP holders. This people do not care much for local farmers and breeders because there's always money coming from import business.
I came across some pathetic cases where Bumiputra farmers and breeders had to sell off their business to non-Bumi just because their received no support from the ministry.
They are serious in helping the government reduce imports and save the money for other projects. However, after shuttling the ministry a few times - with good project papers - they ended up in frustration.
No ministry official took the courage to visit their farm, let alone spent time reading and studying the papers. Do you know that they developed their own technology that are compatible with those big and modern farmers in South Korea, Japan and the US?
However, the government failed to take note of this. Although MOA officials passed on the proposal to the Ministry of Finance, they took the most simple shortcut by saying such projects are not suitable or the applicants are not 'master growers' or 'not viable' - without even sending an audit team to the site.
There was an application for grant by a Malay farmer to set up a 120-hectare hydroponic farm in Raub, Pahang that would easily reduce imports on such vegetables; but was shot down at the discussion level.
For once, dear Mr Prime Minister Najib, minister Ismail Sabri and others, stop being politicians (because politicians are only good at making promises) but think as leaders who really help the rakyat, especially 'Melayu' who really have potential in this area.
The mechanism to identify and assist potential agro-based business must be reviewed in order to help the industry grow in tandem with local demand and also for export. We can't keep on spending big money on imports forever.
A drastic measure is needed to address this issue. The government has to be more attentive in 'self-sufficient' matter, notably our daily goods.
I hope the MOA will get more allocation under Budget 2015 this Friday, and I hope Ismail Sabri understands my simple language. I don't wanna touch other ministries because when it happens at one, it covers the whole administration.
Do not frustrate our farmers and breeders... and do not frustrate voters who always want a benevolent government. No need introducing this and that mega project if it is not felt by most of our rakyat.