Super El Nino threat: Govt steps up measures to protect padi supply, fisheries as heat and drought loom

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 — The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) has stepped up inter-agency preparedness measures to address the Super El Nino phenomenon, which is already showing early effects in the country.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the national agrofood sector was facing mounting challenges due to the conflict in West Asia and the threat of extreme heat and prolonged dry weather, which could disrupt the supply of staple foods.

He said particular attention was being given to monitoring dam water levels, especially at the Ahning Dam in Kedah, where levels remained at alert and warning thresholds, posing a risk to padi cultivation in the major Muda granary area.

“The ministry has mobilised inter-agency preparedness measures through an integrated approach and the use of technology.

“These include implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), expanding the Smart Irrigation Monitoring System, introducing alternative water management methods for padi cultivation and promoting Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) to ensure sustainable water security,” he said when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2027 for the ministry in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Mohamad said extensive preparations were also under way in the fisheries sector, as rising sea temperatures were altering fish distribution patterns, affecting aquaculture water quality and threatening reef ecosystems.

He said capture fisheries and aquaculture production in affected areas could decline by 5,624 metric tonnes, or 1.5 per cent, this year.

To address these challenges, he said the ministry had taken proactive measures, including the use of early weather warning systems, the MyFSI location tracking system and the Aquaculture Disaster Mitigation Plan, alongside the implementation of the Fisheries Sector Climate Change Action Plan 2024-2030.

“Under Budget 2027, RM125.9 million in fiscal support has been allocated, including RM30 million for an additional 3,000 special small-boat licences, RM30 million for Agro BioFloc financing, RM10 million for Capture Fisheries Catalyst Financing and RM2.3 million for biofisheries and biosecurity initiatives,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamad assured that the country’s frozen fish reserves were being increased, with total stocks reaching 10,000 metric tonnes as of Sept 30 to prepare for the Super El Nino phenomenon and the Northeast Monsoon.

Overall, he said the ministry received an allocation of RM6.92 billion under Budget 2027, comprising RM4.85 billion for operating expenditure and RM2.07 billion for development expenditure.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues today. — Bernama

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吉隆坡，10 月 27 日讯——农业及粮食安全部 (KPKM) 已加强跨部门准备措施，以应对超级厄尔尼诺现象，该现象已在该国显现出早期影响。

农业部长拿督斯里莫哈末沙布表示，由于西亚冲突以及极端高温和长期干旱天气的威胁，国家农业食品部门正面临日益严峻的挑战，这可能会扰乱主食的供应。

他表示，当局正在特别关注水坝水位监测，尤其是吉打州的阿宁水坝，该水坝的水位仍处于警戒和警告阈值，对穆达主要粮仓区的稻米种植构成风险。

“该部已通过综合方法和技术运用，调动了跨部门的准备措施。

“这些措施包括实施综合水资源管理（IWRM）、扩大智能灌溉监测系统、引入水稻种植替代水资源管理方法以及推广可控环境农业（CEA），以确保可持续的水安全，”他在昨天下议院结束对2027年供应法案的辩论时表示。

穆罕默德表示，渔业部门也在进行广泛的准备工作，因为海水温度上升正在改变鱼类分布模式，影响水产养殖水质，并威胁珊瑚礁生态系统。

他表示，今年受影响地区的捕捞渔业和水产养殖产量可能会减少 5624 公吨，即 1.5%。

他表示，为了应对这些挑战，该部已采取积极措施，包括使用早期天气预警系统、MyFSI 定位跟踪系统和水产养殖灾害缓解计划，以及实施 2024-2030 年渔业部门气候变化行动计划。

“根据 2027 年财政预算案，已拨款 1.259 亿令吉用于财政支持，其中包括 3000 万令吉用于额外发放 3000 张特殊小型渔船许可证，3000 万令吉用于农业生物絮团融资，1000 万令吉用于捕捞渔业催化剂融资，以及 230 万令吉用于生物渔业和生物安全举措，”他说道。

与此同时，穆罕默德保证，该国的冷冻鱼储备正在增加，截至9月30日，总库存已达到10000公吨，以应对超级厄尔尼诺现象和东北季风。

他表示，该部门在 2027 年财政预算案中总共获得了 69.2 亿令吉的拨款，其中包括 48.5 亿令吉的运营支出和 20.7 亿令吉的发展支出。

下议院会议今天继续进行。 — 马新社

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