Malaysia’s 80% rice self-sufficiency target is difficult to achieve

Malaysia’s ambition to raise rice self-sufficiency to 80% is “a dream” unless the government first fixes the basic problems confronting rice farmers, particularly fertiliser supplies, Suara Tani Malaysia chairman Mohd Shazwan Suban said.

Only about 137,560 bags, or 22%, of the 616,015 bags of additional compound fertiliser known as Rice Fertiliser 3 had reached farmers, according to the report. Shazwan said the delay needed urgent attention because crops had already passed 80 days of growth in some areas.

“How can yields increase? Farmers want to plant rice, but they do not have enough inputs. The rice needs to grow. Fertiliser is late, while costs are also rising. Resolve these basic issues first,” he told Utusan Malaysia.

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How can yields increase? Farmers want to plant rice, but they do not have enough inputs. The rice needs to grow. Fertiliser is late, while costs are also rising. Resolve these basic issues first.

About 38,000 farmers covering roughly 78,117 hectares face losses estimated at RM1.3 million a day because delays affect their crops. The estimate assumes losses of around RM25 a day for each farmer across 52,000 hectares of rice aged between 31 and 75 days.

The Muda Agricultural Development Authority said on Aug. 18 that it would deliver the remaining 478,455 bags needed by the 38,000 farmers before the supply period ends on Oct. 1. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu has said Malaysia remains far from a comfortable level of food security, with rice self-sufficiency still below 60%.

Shazwan said the rate had declined from 62.1% in 2020 to 52.9% in 2024. He called for reliable supplies and quality of seeds and fertiliser, adequate water and a worthwhile purchase price for paddy. “The 80% target will not be achieved through slogans alone,” he said. Farmer Zaidi Nasir said producers currently harvest only about four to five tonnes per hectare.

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The 80% target will not be achieved through slogans alone. The target begins with farmers having enough inputs, enough support and the ability to continue producing rice.