Malaysia's green path to food security on World Food Day 2025

New Straits Times

24-07-2025

AS World Food Day approaches on Oct 16, 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, its theme of "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future" resonates with Malaysia's ongoing journey towards sustainable food security.
Underpinned by the Madani framework's core principles of sustainability, prosperity, and compassion, I, as a plant scientist, believe the answers to our food challenges lie beneath our feet and within our innovative capabilities.
Malaysia has made commendable strides in its Global Food Security Index, rising to 41st globally in 2022. Yet, a closer look at our agricultural landscape reveals a persistent reliance on imports for key commodities.
In 2023, Malaysia's food import bill soared to nearly RM78.79 billion. Our self-sufficiency levels for essential produce like beef (15.9 per cent in 2023), mutton (10.6 per cent), and even vegetables like round cabbage (41 per cent) and chilli (37.1 per cent) remain below desired thresholds, leaving us vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and price volatility.
The statistics on food waste are equally thought-provoking. Malaysians discard an alarming 16,720 tonnes of food daily, with a significant 24 per cent still edible.
This translates to perfectly good food — enough to feed an estimated 12 million people three times a day — ending up in landfills, where it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane.
This paradoxical waste, coupled with our import dependency, underscores the inefficiencies and vulnerabilities in our current food system.
Climate change adds another layer of complexity. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns, including floods and droughts, severely impact agricultural yields.
Projections indicate that rice yields in critical granary areas like the Muda granary area could see reductions of 18 to 26 per cent by the late century under various climate scenarios if adaptation measures are not scaled up.
This directly threatens our staple food production. So, how can we, hand in hand, cultivate a better future?
Firstly, embracing plant science and agricultural technology is not an option but a necessity. We must invest more robustly in research and development for climate-resilient crops, enhanced crop yields, and sustainable farming practices.
Innovations in smart farming, vertical farms, and controlled environment agriculture can mitigate land scarcity and climate change impact, ensuring consistent food production closer to consumers. Imagine urban vertical farms supplying fresh produce to cities, drastically cutting down "food miles" and bolstering local food supply.
The government's commitment under the Madani framework is evident in recent policy adjustments.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of a new padi floor price of RM1,500 per metric tonne for 2025, along with the Padi Price Subsidy Scheme set at RM500 per metric tonne, directly addresses farmer welfare.
Coupled with the RM150 million subsidy to rice millers to maintain the ceiling price of local white rice at RM2.60 per kilogram, these efforts demonstrate a holistic approach to ensuring both producer livelihood and consumer affordability within our food ecosystem.
Secondly, empowering our local farmers, particularly the youth, is crucial. The average age of Malaysian farmers is increasing, and there's a prevailing perception that agriculture is not a lucrative or attractive career.
We need to make agriculture "sexy" through technology adoption, attractive financial incentives, and educational programmes that highlight modern farming as a high-tech, entrepreneurial venture.
Integrating livestock rearing into existing oil palm plantations, for instance, offers immense untapped potential for both food production and economic diversification.
Thirdly, addressing food waste at every level requires collective responsibility. From households to industries, we must adopt a "no waste" mindset. Simple actions like meal planning, mindful consumption, and composting can significantly reduce household food waste.
Policies and initiatives that encourage food redistribution to those in need, similar to organisations like The Lost Food Project, should be scaled up. Businesses can leverage technology for better inventory management and reduce pre-consumer waste.
Finally, fostering a "seed-to-table" consciousness will strengthen our food security. Consumers have a powerful role to play by supporting local produce, understanding seasonal availability, and appreciating the journey of their food.
Government, industry, academia, and civil society must collaborate through a "quadruple helix" approach, aligning policies, investments, and community efforts to build a truly resilient and sustainable food ecosystem and supply chain.
World Food Day 2025 is a call to action. By leveraging agricultural advancements, innovative agri-food businesses, empowering our agricultural workforce, and embracing responsible consumption, Malaysia can secure its food future and set an example as the host of the Asean Summit this year.