FAMA forms committee and stocks food to brace for strong El Niño

The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) established a dedicated committee two months ago to ready the nation for the expected impact of a “very strong” or “Super” El Niño, as forecast by the Malaysian Meteorological Department. Chairman Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus explained that the agency is proactively purchasing selected agro-food items and storing them in its cold-storage facilities across every state, covering roughly 34 products such as red and green chillies, cabbage, onions, chicken and beef.

The strategy, unveiled at the Penang 2026 JAM Mega programme in Lotus’s Seberang Jaya, aims to create a buffer that can sustain supplies for several months should import or export channels be affected. The initiative draws on the experience of maintaining food stocks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coordination with MetMalaysia will determine the timing of the phenomenon’s onset, allowing FAMA to adjust its procurement plans accordingly. The effort underscores the government's focus on food security amid climate-related risks.