Asean Summit: Showing delegates how tech can boost food security
KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is intensifying initiatives in the agro-food value chain by leveraging technology and innovation to strengthen food security and boost productivity.
These efforts are being highlighted through an exhibition and sales showcase held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit at the KL Convention Centre here.
Azwa Affendi Bakhtiar, the ministry's undersecretary of the food and agro-based industry division, said challenges related to food security included high dependence on imports, rising input costs and climate change issues such as floods, which have affected farmers' yields.
"Our efforts are focused on increasing agricultural output and productivity, as well as reducing dependency on imports.
"What we are showcasing here is how we use innovation through agricultural technology to boost productivity and lower costs.
"It also helps reduce dependency on foreign labour and ultimately increase domestic sales," he said at the ministry's booth here on Friday.
He said the exhibition featured research and development (R&D) efforts from the ministry and agencies such as Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, the Agriculture Department and the Fisheries Department.
"For example, through R&D, the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute has developed Malaysia's own variety of onions and a new pineapple grade called MS16."
He said the ministry was working with strategic partners, such as the Malaysia Digital Economy Corp, to highlight technologies that incorporate digitalisation and artificial intelligence in the three key subsectors — livestock, agriculture, and fisheries.
"We are showing a variety of products intended for export.
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