By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
SHAH ALAM, Dec 11 — Selangor is focusing on the development of seed production and new breeds in the agricultural sector to ensure sustainable food resources for the state.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim said some of the breeding initiatives currently underway or are being planned include those for tiger prawns, lobsters, sweetcorn, grain maize, Wagyu cattle, and Barbados Black Belly goats.
“For instance, tiger prawns are a source of protein. Breeding efforts are ongoing in Sungai Nipah, where previously, the parent stock was purchased from Africa.
[caption id="attachment_381606" align="alignleft" width="484"]
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim (centre) and Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation chief executive officer Datuk Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi (third from right) holding up the harvested Bawang Rose Ehsan onions during the first harvest of the crop at the Selangor Fruit Valley in Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor, on November 29, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIASELANGOR[/caption]
“This is part of our effort to safeguard seeds. It is all about ensuring a complete food supply chain so that in the event of pandemics or other crises that could cause disasters, we are prepared,” he said during Selangor TV’s SKOP programme recently.
Izham added that Phase Two of the Selangor Agro Transformation Plan (PeTA) will be drafted starting next year. It will serve as the action plan for 2026 to 2030, to continue driving efforts to ensure food supply security for the people.
“This is to ensure we expand on the various agricultural successes achieved during the first phase. It is also aligned with the developments under the Second Selangor Plan related to agricultural development,” he said.
Additionally, to sustain the agricultural sector, the state government collaborates with various parties and does not have policies favouring large corporations.
“In Selangor, we are open to hearing views and working with anyone. We have collaborations with individual companies and do not enforce policies that only favour large firms.
“We assess needs on a case-by-case basis. For example, on a smaller scale, we have programmes where agricultural land is consolidated (farmers’ land combined). Under this ‘contract farming’ system, farmers follow our specifications, we provide the seeds, and we buy all the produce.
“We aim to increase income and also assist our farmers in marketing their products with guaranteed returns. Agriculture in Selangor is unique.
“We assess the market first before deciding what to plant. Only crops that provide high income, have good and stable demand, will go into the cultivation process, as agriculture is a business,” Izham said.
