PUTRAJAYA: The allocation of RM6.87bil to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry reflects the Madani Government’s commitment to ensure the adequacy and security of the country’s food supply as well as to increase the productivity of the agro-food sector for the well-being of the people.
Its Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the 7% increase compared to RM6.42bil in 2025, would continue to strengthen the country’s food security in line with the goals of the National Agro-Food Policy 2021-2030.
“The ministry will continue to drive the agro-food sector in line with the policy, which focuses on the modernisation and development of the agro-food sector to increase the country’s food security.
“This also involves the sustainability of agricultural activities and strengthening agricultural infrastructure as well as safeguarding the welfare of target groups,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Oct 10).
Mohamad said the ministry was committed to implementing the 2026 Budget initiatives efficiently and based on good governance, to ensure that all target groups under the ministry can benefit from the announcement.
Among the main food security initiatives announced in Budget 2026 include an allocation of RM300mil to establish agricultural project collaborations with state governments to benefit from land use, as well as RM55mil to support local fruit entrepreneurs through crop incentives and farm infrastructure.
For the rice farmers, Mohamad said, overall, each rice farmer is estimated to receive an incentive of RM4,300 per hectare per season in 2026, compared to RM3,790 per hectare per season previously.
He said RM2.62bil has been provided for various subsidies and incentives for farmers, such as padi price subsidies, padi crop subsidies, fertiliser subsidies, seed subsidies and padi production incentives.
Mohamad said the government also provided catch incentives of RM160mil, fishermen’s living allowance of up to RM300 per month, subsidised diesel maintained at RM1.65 per litre specifically for fishermen, and 380 fishermen’s houses will be renovated or newly built with an allocation of RM10mil.
In addition, he said RM20mil has been provided to upgrade vessels to reduce dependence on foreign captains and crews and replace Zone B trawlers and two-boat kenka trawlers to reduce unsustainable vessels. – Bernama
