Malaysia, Indonesia strengthen bilateral cooperation in food security, agriculture

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia will strengthen bilateral cooperation in food security through agrofood trade and agricultural technical collaboration to ensure sustainable and continuous food sources.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), in a statement, said the matter was discussed during a meeting between its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, and Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono at Menara Lembaga Pertubuhan Peladang, here, yesterday.

According to the statement, both countries are also ready to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture, including collaborating under the ASEAN regional platform.

"In this relationship, Indonesia is the ASEAN chairman for 2023 while Malaysia is the host of the 45th ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) Meeting this year.

"As ASEAN chairman, Indonesia agrees to focus on food security in this region," it said.

At the meeting, the statement said that Mohamad was invited to Indonesia to have a closer look at the successful development of the padi industry, which has reached 100 per cent of the Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL) to cover the country's domestic rice needs and consumption.

In addition, Indonesia is also ready to export grain corn and livestock products like meat, milk and eggs to meet Malaysia's needs.

Today's meeting was also attended by MAFS deputy secretary-general (Policy) Datuk Azah Hanim Ahmad, senior officials of the ministry as well as representatives of the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA