Deputy minister Chan Foong Hin said the idea to establish the agency was one of the initiatives to tackle cost of living issues discussed at a National Action Council on Cost of Living meeting earlier this year.

He said a preliminary study conducted by the ministry found the establishment of a national food security agency should encompass four main aspects – availability, accessibility, food security, and stability and sustainability.

“Therefore, the establishment of a national food security agency requires further evaluation on the implications of legislation, finances, human resources, and adjustments to the functions and roles of ministries,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

He was replying to a question from Abdul Nasir Idris on whether the government intends to set up a food agency to improve food security.

Chan said to improve food security, the government is also adopting an inter-ministerial approach to ensure that the national food system is stable and runs efficiently and productively.

In addition, he said, the ministry was committed to ensuring food security, establishing a resilient national food production system as well as helping food producers.

“Among the efforts that have been implemented are providing modern and efficient infrastructure, incentives, support in the form of advisory and technical services, grants, financing aid, tax exemptions, subsidies, market access, and business matching,” he said.