Fama readies warehouses nationwide with buffer stocks as El Niño threat rises

BUKIT MERTAJAM, September 26 — The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) has been proactive in safeguarding the nation's food supply in anticipation of the potential impact of El Niño. Two months ago, Fama formed a special committee, led by chairman Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus, to address the impending phenomenon.

Despite El Niño being an annual occurrence, Fama chose to take early action this year to prepare, coordinating with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) on the expected onset of the event. Speaking at the Penang 2026 JAM Mega programme, Abang Ahmad Kerdee explained that Fama had identified 34 types of agro-food products, including red and green chillies, cabbage, onions, chicken, and beef, to be stored in its nationwide warehouses as buffer stocks.

The agency's warehouses, including cold storage facilities, would be fully utilized to ensure sufficient food supplies, even in the face of potential supply disruptions due to import or export issues. Abang Ahmad Kerdee emphasized that this approach was informed by the country's experience during the Covid-19 pandemic, where early planning and adequate food stocks helped maintain food continuity.