SERDANG, Sept 1 — The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) will focus its Budget 2027 allocations on strengthening the nation’s agrifood sector in facing the El Nino phenomenon.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the allocation is crucial to help farmers and agrifood operators cope with unpredictable hot weather and drought conditions.
He said the identified needs include agricultural input assistance, including fertilisers, as well as equipment and technology to enhance crop resilience against extreme weather.
“We are asking the government to be prepared to provide additional allocations to deal with unpredictable heatwaves and droughts,” he told the media after witnessing the signings of memoranda of understanding at MAHA Trade Days 2026 here today.
Mohamad said KPKM secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak will compile the requirements and relevant data for submission to Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
“We have discussed and reached an agreement to increase allocations, particularly in facing the global situation and the El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to hit Malaysia more severely next year.
“Engagement on Budget 2027 is still ongoing. There are usually final adjustments before it goes to print,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said existing subsidy programmes will continue based on current needs, particularly for sectors that still require government support.
Earlier, the media reported that the potential for the El Nino phenomenon to reach the extreme Super El Nino category between October and December now exceeds 90 per cent.
MetMalaysia director-general Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said this development is based on a highly significant upward trend in the Relative Oceanic Nino Index (RONI) since mid-year, as well as recent weekly sea surface temperature observations exceeding 1.8 degrees Celsius above the climatological average.
Meanwhile, Budget 2027, themed “Malaysia Madani: Menggapai di Langit, Mengakar di Bumi”, remains anchored on the three pillars of the Madani Economy, namely raising the ceiling of national growth, raising the floor of the people’s well-being, and driving governance reform.
