Latest news with #JualanAgroMadani
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Govt approves cloud seeding to protect agriculture from climate change impact
Arthur (left) distributes items to attendees during the National Month edition of Jualan Agro Madani. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KOTA SAMARAHAN (Aug 13): The federal government has approved a cloud seeding programme aimed at encouraging rainfall in water catchment areas, as part of early intervention efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change on the agriculture sector. Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, said the move is among several proactive measures being taken to address climate-related challenges that increasingly affect the nation's food supply chain. 'One of the challenges we face in the agriculture and agri-food sector is climate change, a phenomenon not only affecting our country but also experienced globally. We are monitoring the situation closely. 'Recently, the government approved a cloud seeding programme to encourage rainfall, particularly in water catchment areas. We will continue to monitor the situation, and if necessary, carry out the programme accordingly. 'However, it cannot be denied that weather changes and the challenges posed by climate change will have an impact on the country's agriculture sector,' he said. Arthur was speaking at a press conference after launching the National Month special edition of the Jualan Agro Madani at the compounds of Masjid Al-Malik, Taman Unigarden here today. Responding to a question about the current hot weather in Peninsular Malaysia and its effects on agricultural output, he said there has been no major disruption observed thus far. 'For now, we have not seen any significant impact in output, but we are taking early intervention steps like cloud seeding to stay ahead of potential issues,' he noted. Arthur added that the ministry is focusing monitoring efforts in northern paddy-growing states and water catchment reservoir areas, with the possibility of expanding coverage if the situation requires it. 'Our main concern lies in the northern states, which house paddy granaries and depend on reservoir water. We are closely monitoring these areas, but we will expand our efforts to other locations if needed,' he said. agriculture climate change cloud seeding
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Ministry targets 350 Agro Madani sales programmes in Sarawak this year
Arthur (third left) joins other guests for a photo call during the launch of the National Month special edition of Jualan Agro Madani at the compounds of Masjid Al-Malik, Taman Unigarden today. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KOTA SAMARAHAN (Aug 13): The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, through the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), has set a target of 350 Agro Madani sales programmes in Sarawak this year, said Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security said the programmes are part of the ministry's efforts to help reduce the cost of living while supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs by providing direct market access without intermediaries. 'As of July 31, Fama Sarawak has implemented 46 programmes with total sales amounting to RM191,062.10,' he said during a press conference after launching the National Month special edition of Jualan Agro Madani at the compounds of Masjid Al-Malik, Taman Unigarden here today. Arthur added that the figures reflect only the first month of implementation, as the current cycle began in July. He noted that Sarawak recorded RM7.58 million in sales last year through 473 programmes involving 3,459 entrepreneurs. Nationwide, 495 Agro Madani sales have been held so far in this cycle. The ministry is targeting 3,500 programmes this year, with projected sales of RM52.5 million, expected savings of RM15.75 million, and participation from 52,500 entrepreneurs reaching 1.75 million consumers. In 2024, 7,295 Agro Madani sales programmes were held, generating RM162.45 million in sales, benefiting 92,065 entrepreneurs and reaching 4.28 million consumers, with household savings amounting to RM43.64 million. Arthur said that public demand for Agro Madani sales is high, with the possibility of exceeding this year's target, similar to last year, when the nationwide goal of 5,000 programmes was surpassed, reaching 7,295. 'By bringing products directly from farms to consumers, we help the public enjoy savings of between 10 and 30 per cent, while also boosting product marketing and sales for our entrepreneurs,' he said. Today's special edition event in Kota Samarahan featured various activities, including the Happy Hour Sale (Jualan Agro Madani), the Eat Local Fruits Campaign, and the distribution of pineapples to visitors, organised in collaboration with the N17 Stakan Service Centre. Also present at the event were Stakan assemblyman Datuk Hamzah Ibrahim dan Fama director-general Abdul Rashid Bahri.
The Star
07-08-2025
- Health
- The Star
Clinics must provide itemised bills
KUALA LUMPUR: Private clinics will now be required to provide itemised bills which detail consultations and medicine prices, says Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Fuziah Salleh. It is also now compulsory for doctors to provide prescriptions for every consultation, she added. 'This will allow the patients to make a choice on whether to purchase medicines from the clinics and at other pharmacies,' she said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. These are part of measures introduced by the National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol). 'Clinics cannot compel patients to buy medicine directly from them. Patients must be clearly informed that they have the option to obtain their medication elsewhere,' she added. Fuziah was responding to a question from Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Syed Abdul Fasal, who had asked about the outcomes of Naccol meetings held this year. She said that Naccol had convened twice so far this year, along with one meeting of its executive committee. Several key decisions were made, particularly in the areas of healthcare cost transparency and household spending. On Aug 3, the Health Ministry announced that warning letters may be issued to private clinics and pharmacies that fail to comply with the mandatory medicine price display rule, with compound notices to follow from Oct 1. Full enforcement will begin on Jan 1, 2026. It was reported that during the initial three-month educational phase, which ended on July 31, a total of 842 premises – private medical and dental clinics, hospitals and community pharmacies – were inspected. The ministry reported that 57% had satisfactorily complied with the price display requirements. From Aug 1 to Sept 30, the enforcement phase will continue through education, advocacy and inspections before penalties are imposed. Meanwhile, on food-related initiatives, Fuziah said the government has doubled the allocation for the Rahmah Sales Programme from RM300mil to RM600mil this year to ease the burden on lower-income groups. In addition, RM25mil has been allocated to extend the Jualan Agro Madani programme, with affordable food sales to be carried out at strategic locations nationwide. Fuziah also revealed that the government, through Naccol, has begun developing a Cost of Living Indicator and a Minimum Decent Living Expenditure Index. 'This year, advocacy efforts have started to introduce these indicators as a reference for government policy and decision-making,' she said. She concluded by reaffirming the government's commitment to monitoring living costs and implementing effective measures to ease the financial pressure on Malaysians. 'These are among the key outcomes from the two Naccol meetings and one Executive Committee session held this year,' she said.
The Star
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Agriculture ministry to boost supply of cheaper special grade eggs
KUALA TERENGGANU: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will increase the production of lower-priced special grade chicken eggs following the government's decision to end egg subsidies on Aug 1, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said this would provide the public with more affordable eggs while helping to stabilise prices. "We also aim to increase the supply of cheaper special eggs like those sold during Ramadan (in March) recently, priced at RM5 per tray. "We're not sure what the price will be but we are confident it will not spike uncontrollably," he said after attending the Terengganu Pakatan Harapan Aidilfitri open house here on Sunday (May 4). On April 30, the ministry announced that subsidies for eggs would be removed and said that several intervention measures would be implemented jointly with the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry to minimise the impact on the people's cost of living. Mohamad also said in addition to special grade eggs, the public could obtain competitively priced eggs through nationwide initiatives such as Jualan Agro Madani and Jualan Rahmah. He also said the decision to end both egg subsidies and price controls – as well as the reduction in subsidy rate from RM0.10 to RM0.05 per egg effective May 1 – was made through stakeholder engagement. "The decision was made via consultation. We negotiated first with egg producers and industry players. We also implemented the removal gradually, not abruptly. Hence, I believe egg prices will not surge," he said. Meanwhile, Mohamad also encouraged the cultivation of local young coconuts, especially aromatic varieties like pandan coconuts, in response to rising demand from China. "This presents an opportunity in Terengganu for example, with its vast land. "China has a population of over 1.4 billion, with more than 800 million with spending power... this is a real economic opportunity," he said. On April 19, Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said the opening of the fresh coconut market to China under the Phytosanitary Requirements Protocol marks a strengthening of biosecurity measures and the establishment of a more systematic traceability element in quality young coconut production. He said Malaysia would export young coconuts primarily for fresh beverage consumption, with priority given to aromatic varieties such as pandan coconuts which are known for their unique fragrance and a brix sweetness level of around 6.7. – Bernama
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Winding down: egg subsidy halved from May 1, ends August
PETALING JAYA: The government will halve the subsidy chicken eggs starting tomorrow (May 1), as part of a phased withdrawal set to end by Aug 1. The move follows extensive consultation with stakeholders and aims to gradually ease consumers into market prices without triggering panic. Instead of an abrupt cut, a 'soft landing' approach will be taken. 'Since its rollout on Feb 5, 2022, the government has spent RM2.5 billion on egg and chicken subsidies up to Dec 31, 2024,' said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry in a statement today. The 10-sen-per-egg subsidy was introduced in 2022 during a nationwide shortage to stabilise prices and protect consumers. The ministry said the decision to withdraw was made due to several reasons including stabilised supply of eggs which could be seen during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. To cushion the impact on lower-income households, it said egg producers had had agreed to introduce special grades eggs at reasonable prices. 'The people can also get egg supply with competitive prices at under the Jualan Agro Madani and Jualan Rahmah initiatives nationwide as well at Fama and Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang outlets.' Meanwhile, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will deploy enforcement teams to monitor the supply chain and ensure compliance.
