National agro-food sector continues to grow despite economic uncertainty, says PM
IPOH: The uncertainty of both global and domestic economic markets doesn’t halt the country’s growth performance in the agro-food sector, says the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the sector continues to record a positive growth.
“The agro-food sector recorded a significant contribution to the Domestic Output Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, which is RM173.9bil or 11.5%.
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“The value added includes agro-food production from agriculture, manufacturing and service sectors,” he said.
Anwar’s speech was read by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusoff during his opening speech at the 2023 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen’s Day at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah on Saturday (Nov 11).
Anwar, also the Finance Minister, said that dependency on imported food is among the challenges that must be faced.
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“In the last three years, there is an increasing trend deficit in the agro-food sector.
“In 2022, the dependency towards imported food has reached RM75.5bil.
He added, “This is the challenge we need to address to increase the country’s level of food security. ”
He said the government is now on the right track to dignify the agro-food sector.
“The agro-food sector has the potential to be developed and can be the main contributor to the national economy,” he said, adding that food security is given special focus in the Agenda Sustainable Budget 2024 (Agenda Mampan Belanjawan 2024).
“The second budget tabling reflects efforts to intensify the survival of the national agro-food industry, increase food production locally and reduce import dependency,” he said.
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