Seeds, fertilisers bill on the cards – Kiandee

KOTA KINABALU: A bill on seeds and fertilisers will be proposed to restructure the supply of seeds and fertilisers in the agro food industry in the country.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said the proposal would be tabled in Parliament to be discussed and debated before being decided upon.

‘'The creation of the bill was among several topics discussed in a formal meeting with the Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry,'' he told reporters here yesterday.

Earlier, Ronald, together with Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also Sabah Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, had a meeting with agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry.

Among other matters discussed during the meeting included the involvement of the industries and the private sector to together develop the industries under the ministry, he added.

Ronald said the meeting also discussed padi and rice productions, investment in the ruminant industry and creating an agency like the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) in the state.

‘'The approaches and steps are taken to stimulate the overall development of the food agro industry,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey said the proposal to create a seed and fertiliser bill was seen as a need to ensure the agro food industry would continue to expand.

He was confident the firm co-operation between the two ministries could boost the food security efforts and tackle issues obstructing the development of the food industry especially in Sabah. - Bernama