ENSURE FOOD SECURITY IN MALAYSIA

MALAYSIA can ill afford to be continuously dependent on its neighbours should it experience any food shortage in the nearest time claim from few experts. They believe that despite pledges and commitments given by Asean members to prioritise food export commodities to their counterparts facing shortages, Malaysia has to focus on enhancing its domestic agricultural capabilities and develop a stable mechanism to ensure the country's stockpile is sufficient in the long run. As the report by Food security expert Dr Nur Ameera A. Jaz from Universiti Malaya said such a mechanism could be achieved if the government invests more in the research and development of food security, which is crucial to promoting sustainable farming practices. Citing Indonesia's success rate of 90 per cent self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) in local rice production the report stated that Malaysia could also emulate the republic's effective strategies in the agriculture sector. The success of Indonesia in achieving a 90 per cent SSR in rice production demonstrates (the republic's) effective strategies in the agriculture sector. While having Asean support is vital during crises reported that Malaysia should focus on enhancing its domestic agricultural capabilities. This through encouraging local farmers to adopt modern technologies, promoting sustainable farming practices and investing in research and development are crucial steps. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" blog try to report on how to ensure food security inn Malaysia.

There media report that on Thursday at the 45th Asean Ministers of Agriculture Forestry meeting here, Asean food-producing nations pledged to prioritise the export of food commodities to member countries facing shortages. Malaysia agriculture minister stated that the commitment was one of the significant decisions reached during the meeting. Malaysia will discuss the issue of food security if there is a shortage among Asean countries that they hope that other Asean countries can quickly step in to provide support. On the issue of food aid reported that the given the current scenario of local rice supply, Malaysia could also strategically seek assistance from the world's largest rice exporters, such as Thailand and Vietnam, following their significant advancements in padi production. On the other hands previously, Malaysia sourced a significant portion of its rice supply from India, making it a key player in our supply chain, but recent changes in the latter's export policies have impacted our local supply. Given the current situation (of local rice supply), Malaysia needs to import 1.2 million tonnes of rice to meet domestic as the utilisation requirements. It was also imperative that the government replenish its depleting stockpile. Malaysia cannot be too dependent on other countries to supply us with food continually and have to develop our agriculture industry and explore new methods that can produce enough food in which is at the same time nutritious and safe. The government must replenish the stockpile that is depleting, we cannot allow our food chest or food bank to be empty for so long. At the same time if no stable mechanism was developed, Malaysia cannot afford to offer its counterparts the support they need. Thailand has the resources to help us when there is food shortages in Malaysia particularly rice supply as it is our closest neighbour. Malaysia can offer them in return will depend on our food availability. In normal circumstances, we can sell them poultry and eggs.  

Touching on the youth as modern farming keys to sustainable food security also relevant. By nurturing young talents and extensive adaptation of modern farming are the keys for Malaysia to achieve sustainable food security and economic growth. Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) agricultural economics expert Prof Dr Shri Dewi stressed that the agriculture sector is aging and in dire need of young blood.  Currently, majority of our farmers are ageing. Hence, we have to rely on foreign labourers to fulfil industry labour needs. By galvanising youth involvement means we will have a sustainable local work force and input for the agriculture industry in the future. Prioritising sustainable agriculture is not just an option, it's our duty to Malaysia's future generation. in Malaysia the youth involvement is imperative to digitalise the agriculture sector. If Malaysia genuinely wish to invest in technology and adopt modern farming, only the younger generation is capable of embracing it. It is time to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) and promote smart farming. Technologies such as precision agriculture, internet of things (IoT) devices, and automation can significantly enhance efficiency. The government to allocate resources for agricultural research and development to address challenges faced by farmers. The government should also facilitate access to credit and financial services for farmers and agribusinesses to invest in modern equipment, infrastructure, and input necessary in ramping up productivity. It was suggested that the government look to strengthen farmer cooperatives and organisations. All this is to enable collective marketing, bargaining power, and sharing of resources and knowledge. Enable the small farmers to participate in the agribusiness value chain so that they can reduce middleman profiteering. Source: NST. Thanks.

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(January 2024).