Answer for Oral Question PL261

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd. Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA LAILA SETIA DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI ABDUL RAHMAN BIN HAJI IBRAHIM asked the MINISTER OF ECONOMY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY to state the plans towards utilising and strengthening the entire supply value chain, particularly reducing dependence on imports and ensuring food security. To what extent has investment been increased to ensure the resilience of domestic supplies, for example through the use of smart agricultural technology, advances in research and innovation, the development of the halal food industry, as well as improvements in food safety and quality standards?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Ekonomi, Perdagangan dan Industri

The Department of Agriculture and Agrifood is continuing its collaborative project with Universiti Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA) to conduct a study on regenerative agriculture, which aims to improve soil fertility and health for rice cultivation. The study focuses on sustainable agricultural practices that can improve soil structure, increase organic matter content, and continuously enhance rice yields and productivity.

At present, the study has entered its second rice-planting season to continuously assess the effectiveness of the practices introduced, as well as to compare changes in soil fertility levels and rice yields with those of the previous season.

The results and findings of this study will continue to be monitored and analysed by the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood together with UNISSA to assess the potential for expanding regenerative agriculture practices as one of the approaches to improving soil fertility and the sustainability of rice production.

Various initiatives have been implemented to strengthen the entire agrifood value chain, particularly in the processing and value-added sectors. These include product development through research and innovation, the implementation of the Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) programme, a pilot shelf-life testing project, packaging and labelling improvement programmes, the provision of industrial sites (Site Provision), as well as facilitating market access and exports through trade missions and business matching. In addition, these efforts have been further strengthened through strategic collaboration with research institutions, government agencies and the private sector to enhance the competitiveness of the local agrifood industry and support the country's food security.

The Department is also working to improve food safety and quality standards by strengthening compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Halal certification, as well as food labelling requirements. In addition, these efforts have been reinforced through industry capacity building, technical guidance services and compliance with international standards, to ensure that local products meet domestic and export market requirements.

This Ministry is also focusing on efforts to utilise and strengthen the entire supply value chain with the aim of reducing dependence on imports and increasing the resilience of domestic supplies, by encouraging operators to conduct aquaculture activities throughout the product value chain, comprising fish hatcheries and nurseries, fish farming, processing and marketing, including the production of fish feed.

Several measures have been undertaken to increase output from the fisheries sector, such as opening new sites for the aquaculture industry, implementing the Shrimp Recovery Programme to reduce the risk of shrimp diseases, and encouraging the farming of additional high-value species.

Investment in smart fisheries technology has also been increased through the use of Recirculating Aquaculture System and tank ponds with water treatment to improve production efficiency. In addition, this Ministry, through one of the foreign direct investors in the fisheries sector, will also collaborate with higher education institutions locally and abroad in the production of vaccines to overcome diseases affecting farmed fish.

In terms of research and innovation, this Ministry, through the Department of Fisheries, is collaborating with higher education institutions on the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) for the automatic feeding of fish, which can reduce wastage and contribute to savings in companies’ operating costs.

In addition, IoT is also used to monitor water quality in fish-farming ponds, which can be carried out remotely. Any changes in water quality can therefore be identified immediately for prompt action.

For the provision of the cold chain, Muara International Fish Landing Sdn Bhd is upgrading its frozen storage facilities to increase the storage capacity for seafood-based raw materials, to accommodate the increased output from the capture fisheries and aquaculture industries and ensure that the quality of fisheries products is guaranteed. The Department of Fisheries has also developed the Brunei Standard for Frozen Finfish as a reference for companies in producing frozen products that are guaranteed to be safe.

Food safety and quality standards are improved through Good Aquaculture Practices (BGAqP) certification and the implementation of the National Residue Monitoring Program to improve traceability and consumer confidence. The Department of Fisheries is also in the process of obtaining ISO 17025 accreditation for the laboratory at the Aquatic Animal Health Services Centre, to increase the confidence of importing countries in local fisheries products.

This Ministry not only emphasises reducing dependence on imports, but also increasing investment in smart technology, research and innovation, as well as food safety and quality standards. All these measures complement one another in ensuring food security and strengthening the resilience of domestic supplies, while also improving access to export markets.