He said the achievement, which was a feather in the nation’s cap, was due to the commitment of the government in ensuring sufficient food stockpiles.

“We also managed to reduce our dependence on imports by encouraging the diversification of crops, apart from improving exports in the fruit sector,” he told a media conference after a back-to-school programme in his parliamentary constituency of Pulai today.

Touching on other issues, he said the ministry would also be disbursing compensation to farmers and padi growers who suffered losses due to floods in their farms recently after receiving a full report from the officers who had gone to the ground to check the affected areas.

“We will be giving compensation according to the disaster areas, with investigations conducted by agencies such as the Agriculture Department, Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority and the Integrated Agricultural Development Area in Ketara, Terengganu.”

He said apart from that, the ministry had also allocated RM3 million for food supplies to flood victims in Kelantan and Terengganu.

The allocation included RM2 million from the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority and RM1 million from the National Farmers’ Association.

“If the second phase of flood occurs, the ministry will consider raising the allocation involved,” said Salahuddin.