Kuala lumpur: The government is currently in the process of drafting a National Food Security Act to establish a solid legal framework aimed at safeguarding Malaysia's food sovereignty, announced Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah, who also serves as the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, emphasized that food security is a collective responsibility. The creation of this Act represents an inclusive and strategic initiative by the government to ensure future generations have reliable food systems. He stated, "The drafting of this Act is our promise and sincere commitment to future generations, to ensure that Malaysia will always have a sustainable supply system and will never allow its people to face food shortages."
Fadillah made these comments during the launch of the National Food Security Policy 2030 (DKMN 2030). The event was also attended by Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He highlighted the current global challenges such as extreme climate change, disease and pest threats, geopolitical tensions, and competition for land use, which directly impact the global food supply chain's stability, leading to increased input costs and food inflation.
He warned that rising input costs trigger a domino effect, resulting in food price inflation globally. While Malaysia maintains a stable food security position with adequate supply and controlled affordability, Fadillah cautioned against complacency, noting that current achievements do not guarantee future security.
Fadillah explained that DKMN 2030 serves as the guiding framework for transforming the national agri-food sector, ensuring sufficient food availability, safety, quality assurance, and environmental sustainability. The policy aims to empower farmers, paddy growers, and fishermen by modernizing the agricultural sector, positioning it as a competitive economic driver, and contributing significantly to national growth.
Furthermore, he stressed the importance of adopting smart agriculture through digitalisation and technologies like drones, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) to boost productivity, attract youth participation, and make agriculture a modern and profitable career choice.
Fadillah emphasized that a comprehensive approach involving government, society, cross-ministerial collaboration, and the private sector is essential for reducing import dependence and strengthening the national food system's resilience.
DKMN 2030 continues efforts to transform the agricultural sector, based on six core pillars of food security: availability, accessibility, utilisation, stability, sustainability, and agency. The policy introduces a shift beyond productivity, emphasizing sustainability through smart agricultural and regenerative practices, while enhancing farmers' wellbeing and aiming to eradicate poverty.