The Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry is prepared to import more necessity goods such as fish, vegetables and meat in efforts to avoid price hikes following the government's move to reduce fuel subsidy recently. 
    
Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said only a large quantity of the goods will ensure its price does not shoot up, and at the same time lessen the burden on consumers and the public. 
    
"The ministry will import necessity goods if there is a shortage. Although not encouraged, it is an alternative for the ministry to overcome price increases following the reduced fuel subsidy," he said. 
    
Ismail Sabri (left) was speaking to reporters after officially opening a sacrificial ritual organised by the Bera Member of Parliament office with cooperation from the government departments, involving 150 cows in the premises of the Bera district mosque yesterday.  
    
Ismail Sabri, who is also the Bera MP, said the same move was made by the government before and had successfully stabilised the price of goods.
    
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the ministry targets at least 50 percent of fishermen will pursue caged-fish breeding, while the rest will pursue breeding of freshwater fish by 2020.
    
He said not even 10 percent of fishermen in Malaysia, whether sea or river fishermen, are involved in this field.
    
"We hope the ministry will get more funds in the budget to be tabled this  Friday so that more projects can be carried out for farmers and breeders in the  country," he added. 
 
- Bernama