SEPANG: Malaysia has taken a step towards reducing its 100% dependence on imported grain maize through large-scale local production to meet domestic demand, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the move was crucial to strengthening the country's food security, particularly amid geopolitical uncertainties and the risk of disruptions to global supply chains.
"This is our effort with Mardi (Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute). Alhamdulillah, Mardi has produced the MZ1 and MZ2 grain (maize varieties), which are suitable for large-scale cultivation at Genting Tanah Merah Estate in Sepang. We hope this initiative will continue.
"Now, we are starting large-scale production of local grain maize...the most important thing is the cooperation of large companies," he told a press conference after officiating at the launch of the Local Grain Maize Varieties and Large-Scale Grain Maize Cultivation here Monday (Aug 17).
With the theme "Memperkasa Industri Jagung Bijian, Memperkukuh Keterjaminan Makanan Negara", Mohamad said the large-scale grain maize cultivation project currently covers about 400ha, with the first harvest expected by the end of this year.
"Collaboration with private companies, including Genting Plantations Bhd, is crucial to ensuring the development of the local grain maize industry can be carried out commercially and on a large scale," he said.
Mohamad said local grain maize production was expected to meet around 3% to 4% of domestic demand at the initial stage, while reaching the 30% target would require a large-scale expansion of the cultivated area.
He said Malaysia's annual grain maize imports currently stood at about 2.5 million tonnes, valued at RM3bil, making efforts to boost local production crucial to reducing dependence on external supplies.
"So, next year, it may reach 3% to 4%," he said.
Mohamad said plans were also underway for large-scale grain maize cultivation covering about 2,500ha in Perlis and 5,500ha in Sarawak, while planting had already begun in Perak, Johor and Pahang.
Expressing optimism about local grain maize production, he said the pilot project could help stabilise chicken and egg prices, as the commodity is one of the key ingredients in livestock feed.
"This is because chicken prices depend heavily on the cost of chicken feed. We currently import 100% of our soybeans and grain maize. Now, we have the technology to produce grain maize locally," he said. - Bernama
