SERDANG, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- The Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) and Agrobank have entered into a strategic partnership through a RM200 million Trade Facility to strengthen the state’s agri-food industry and food supply chain.
The facility will support infrastructure development, working capital and research and development (R&D) activities, including the development of the Selangor Halal Food Warehouse as a buffer stock to prepare for possible supply disruptions.
PKPS Group chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi said the facility would help accelerate efforts to increase Selangor’s food self-sufficiency level (SSL) amid various challenges that could affect supplies.
“Given the situation we are facing now, with supply issues, the Strait of Hormuz situation and COVID-19, we need something that can be implemented more quickly.
“The RM200 million will also support PKPS’ SEED 2030 programme, one component of which is the Selangor Food Warehouse,” he told a press conference after the signing ceremony between PKPS and Agrobank and the presentation of a RM200 million mock cheque in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 here today.
The mock cheque was presented by Agrobank chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin to Mohamad Khairil, representing PKPS, and witnessed by Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
On the Selangor Halal Food Warehouse, Mohamad Khairil said essential items such as rice, cooking oil, fish, chicken and meat would be kept as buffer stocks in case of supply disruptions, including during disasters or crises.
“This will serve as a buffer against supply disruptions, including shortages of chicken, eggs and cooking oil, as well as unforeseen events such as disasters.
“Using the RM200 million, we will also build the warehouse infrastructure, including cold rooms and storage facilities equipped with IoT and AI,” he said.
Mohamad Khairil said the warehouse was expected to hold sufficient food stocks to support up to 50 per cent of Selangor’s population within two years.
He said the facility would also enable PKPS to expand its agropreneur development programme by opening more land for technology-based agricultural projects.
“With the support from Agrobank through this RM200 million facility, more land will be opened and programmes involving fertigation, IoT and agropreneurs can be implemented more extensively and effectively,” he said.
Meanwhile, PKPS said in a statement that the Trade Facility is scheduled to take effect officially from March 2027.
It will also support other key infrastructure, including the Ehsan Halal Chicken Processing Centre, Ehsan Product Processing Centre, and the construction and upgrading of central distribution warehouses to strengthen food distribution across Selangor.
The facility will also cover operations and high-impact R&D activities, including the development of ready-to-eat and ready-to-heat food products under the Ehsan brand, research at the Ehsan Agricultural Research Centre to advance smart farming, and human capital development through the Ehsan Agricultural Training Centre.
The collaboration also supports agro-tourism development at Ehsan Resort and Convention Centre, in line with PKPS’ efforts to expand activities and development opportunities across the agri-food sector.
-- BERNAMA