MELAKA, Nov 3 (Bernama) — The government plans to develop about 50 latex depots next year to strengthen local rubber production, thereby reducing reliance on latex imports. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this initiative is part of an effort to boost domestic latex production to meet the needs of the rubber-based industry, given that the annual import value for this material currently reaches RM7 billion. “The objective is to create more space and opportunities for the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA) and the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) to produce latex themselves, so that we […]

KUALA LUMPUR: The onion planting project currently being carried out by local farmers with the support of various government agencies is expected to reduce the country’s import dependency by up to 30 percent by 2030, thus strengthening food security. Deputy Secretary-General (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), Datuk Luqman Ahmad, said Malaysia currently still imports almost 100 percent of its onion supply, worth more than RM1 billion. He added that, apart from onions, the country is also facing shortages of corn, grains and meat products, therefore efforts to strengthen domestic production need to be carried out […]