Malaysia Prioritizes Boosting Low-Production Food Commodities to Cut Imports
Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is prioritizing increased production of agro-food commodities with low self-sufficiency rates.
- The goal is to reduce the nation's reliance on food imports.
- Commodities like ginger, mangoes, and rice are specifically targeted for improvement.
Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is focusing its efforts on boosting the domestic production of agro-food items that currently have low self-sufficiency rates. This strategic push aims to significantly curb the country's dependence on imported food supplies.
Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin highlighted that several key commodities require particular attention. Among these are ginger, with a self-sufficiency rate of only 15.5 percent, and mangoes at 20 percent. The ministry also noted that rice production, while higher, still necessitates further development to meet national needs fully.
By concentrating on these specific commodities, KPKM intends to strengthen Malaysia's food security and build a more resilient agricultural sector. This focus on increasing local output is a critical step toward achieving greater self-reliance in food production and mitigating risks associated with global supply chain disruptions.
Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.