KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has stepped up inter-agency preparedness to address the Super El Nino phenomenon, which is already showing early effects in the country.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, said the agrofood sector faces mounting challenges from the Middle East conflict alongside extreme heat and prolonged dry weather, which could disrupt staple food supplies.

He said close monitoring is focused on dam water levels, particularly Kedah's Ahning Dam, where levels remain at alert and warning thresholds, threatening padi cultivation across the Muda granary area.

"The ministry has mobilised inter-agency preparedness measures through an integrated approach and the use of technology.