Kuala lumpur: Irrigation must be recognised as critical infrastructure for food security, peace and prosperity as it remains indispensable in the face of climate change and rising global demand for water. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu emphasized that irrigation is not an obsolete practice of the past but is at the very heart of the future.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Sabu shared these insights while officiating the opening of the 4th World Irrigation Forum (WIF4), the 3rd High-Level Advisory Group Meeting, and the 76th International Executive Council Meeting. He highlighted that only 20 percent of the world's cultivated land is irrigated, yet it produces 40 percent of the world's food, underlining the importance of irrigation in global food production.
Mohamad stressed the need for ASEAN countries to enhance cross-border cooperation in water management, invest in shared research, and harmonize standards in climate-smart irrigation to meet the growing food demand in the region. He noted the challenges faced by the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins and the potential of ASEAN's 90 million hectares of irrigated land for modernization.
Domestically, under the National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030, Malaysia aims to modernize 200,000 hectares of irrigated land using digital and smart systems, reduce non-revenue water losses by 15 percent by 2030, and introduce IoT-based monitoring. This strategy includes the use of drone technology and precision agriculture to mainstream climate-smart irrigation practices.
On a global scale, Mohamad underscored the role of irrigation in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Climate Action. Malaysia is prepared to collaborate with international bodies like the FAO, World Bank, and ICID to ensure irrigation is recognized as vital infrastructure for peace, prosperity, and resilience.
Malaysia's hosting of WIF4 signifies its commitment to reinforcing irrigation as strategic infrastructure for future food and water security. Mohamad expressed hope that these discussions will lead to a Joint Declaration among members, symbolizing a collective determination to prioritize irrigation in global strategies.
The week-long event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, from September 7 to 13, gathers international experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss sustainable irrigation practices for enhancing global food and water security.