MALAYSIA remains heavily dependent on imported food, buying more than 40% of our rice needs, although local production has increased.
The self-sufficiency level for rice stands at 56.2% while for chicken, it is 90.2%, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The data from the Statistics Department’s (DOSM) Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) 2023 report show slight declines compared with previous years, he said.
“However, there were encouraging increases recorded for meat and fresh milk,” he said.
On the other hand, the Import Dependency Ratio (IDR) for beef, buffalo meat, mutton, fresh milk and certain vegetables such as chillies, showed a downward trend.
Mohamad said import dependency remained high for rice, chicken and several types of vegetables.
The minister was responding to Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading), who asked about the country’s level of food security in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as restrictions on food imports, particularly for basic goods like rice, wheat, sugar, chicken, meat, milk and vegetables.
Aminolhuda also asked about the ministry’s strategies to ensure Malaysia achieves greater self-sufficiency.
As of Oct 21, Malaysia’s rice stock stood at 1.19 million metric tonnes, sufficient to meet national demand for six months. The figure comprises 990,308 metric tonnes of commercial stock and 200,000 metric tonnes of buffer stock.
Mohamad said the projected chicken production as of October this year was about 70.65 million birds, indicating a stable supply.
To strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports, several initiatives are being implemented, including improving mechanisms within the padi and rice industry, he said.
“Whenever I go on field visits, almost half are focused on padi. Rice is our staple food, and we need strong cooperation between the federal and state governments to increase production,” he added.
Mohamad said Malaysia would continue importing certain raw materials and meat products through existing trade partnerships and memoranda of understanding with other countries.
He added that the government is also intensifying efforts to boost cattle breeding, with a target of achieving 50% self-sufficiency in beef by 2030.
He said the country’s dairy industry is expanding rapidly, with major companies operating large-scale dairy farms.
“We expect to reach self-sufficiency in milk production soon,” he added.
Mohamad said Malaysia’s aquaculture industry was also progressing steadily, with ongoing efforts to improve broodstock quality and farm productivity.
“We are moving towards a satisfactory level of self-sufficiency in aquaculture, though more effort is needed to strengthen it further,” he added.
