MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON FOOD IMPORTS, SAYS NAJIB

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government intends to reduce
the country's dependence on food imports worth RM28 billion (US$8.15 billion)
last year to about RM14 billion (US$4.97 billion) annually.

According to the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, the move will
curb currency outflow.

To achieve this objective, Najib stressed the need to establish an economy
to realise a "High Income Model", to enhance the earnings of farmers, fishermen
and breeders.

"The challenge is to bring agricultural producers closer to the market so
that they can receive a bigger income," said Najib in his speech while
officiating the national level Farmers Market Convention 2009 here.

Najib also expressed support for the Federal Agricultural Marketing
Authority's (FAMA) proposal under the 10th Malaysian Plan to provide 5,000
three-wheeler motorcycles to entrepreneurs for them to act as suppliers to the
Agrobazaar People's Shop and farmers markets.

FAMA chairman Badruddin Amiruldin in his speech at the same
event, said the programme and activities of the organisation related to
agricultural produce, would be streamlined with the National Food Storehouse
programme where FELDA farmers will act as the intermediary for the main
suppliers of fresh agricultural produce to the varied concept of the farmers
market.

Najib said the farmers market concept, which offers a a one-stop centre for
agricultural produce such as that adopted by developed countries, is one which
can succeed and attract tourists to it.

He also said that one of the ways, producers of agricultural products can
earn a lucrative income, is to produce food of high quality or also known as
gourmet food.

-- BERNAMA