The State Government of Johor scored another first when it declare 24,000 hectares within it's boundary as food production zone, the first state in the country to declare such zone.

Of the 24,000 hectares, 10,000 hectares will be cultivated this year, which includes 5,000 hectares for vegetables, 4,000 hectares for maize and other grains suitable for animal feed, and the rest for pineapple.

The total food production zones declared in the whole of Malaysia in April 1998 was 40,000 hectares of which 24,000 hectares came from Johor.

At the same time, the Johor state government had launched the nation's first farmers assisting fund, which is available as non-collateral loan.