SHAH ALAM, May 4 — There is sufficient beef and mutton to meet the Hari Raya Aidiladha festive demands, although the country is expected to face the El Nino phenomena until July.
Agriculture and Food Securities Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the Department of Agriculture, the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama), and the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) always monitor the supply.
"We and the agencies involved will ensure sufficient supply by carrying out continuous monitoring,” he told the press at the Kota Raja Parliamentary constituency's open house in Section 32 today.
Earlier, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the hot weather due to the El Nino phenomenon currently hitting the country is expected to continue until July.
Kelantan, Perlis, and Kedah are experiencing higher temperatures than Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, Mohamad acknowledged that the El Nino phenomenon had also affected paddy cultivation in Kelantan.
The hot weather and dry spells would certainly affect the water resources in paddy fields, resulting in a poor harvest.
Taking these factors into consideration, he said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has approved an additional RM20 million allocation to buy water pipes and pumps to assist farmers who are facing a shortage of water for their paddy fields.
— Bernama
