Role of the CFS in nation’s food security

THERE has been an increase in headlines about Malaysia’s food security.

The importance of the role of the Central Forest Spine (CFS) of Peninsular Malaysia is perhaps unknown to many as it is out of sight.

“Malaysian soils are highly weathered, acidic, and not very fertile for crop production. About 75% of these soils fall under the Ultisols and Oxisols soil group, which are normally found in tropical regions. Ultisols are usually acid soils, which have been formed under forest vegetation and are not natively fertile.” (Soil Fertility And Management Of Malaysian Soils, by Zaharah A. Rahman et al, Taylor & Francis Group, 2017)

Similarly, Australia’s soils are infertile. However, Australia has impressive records for food exports such as wheat and beef. It is possible because of artificial irrigation and the use of fertilisers.

With all the rain that we have in Malaysia that even causes seasonal and non-seasonal flooding, we may be mistaken that our food crops do not rely on artificial irrigation. The two to three plantings of rice that are possible relies heavily on artificial irrigation. Sugarcane plantation is another food crop that relies on irrigation, as are vegetable farms and fruit crops.

What has this got to do with the Central Forest Spine of Peninsular Malaysia? The forest spine is the source of 90% of the water that finds its way into the rivers, then to lowland padi cropping and our everyday water that comes out of the tap.

When it gets degraded, this source of water will become scarce. The degradation of forests and its effect can be studied on the island of Hispaniola that is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

“By analysing aerial photography and satellite images, researchers discovered that primary forest cover in Haiti shrank from 4.4% in 1988 to just 0.32% in 2016. They report that 42 of Haiti’s 50 largest mountains have lost all of their primary forests and the country is already undergoing a mass extinction of its wildlife due to habitat loss.” (Haiti May Lose All Primary Forests By 2035, Mass Extinction On The Way, by Global Forest Reporting Network)In contrast, 40% of the Dominican Republic is forested.

The health of the Central Forest Spine can be indirectly measured by the loss of wildlife species.

The Sumatran rhino is now officially extinct in Malaysia, with the death of the last known specimen in 2019.

“Rhinos were the only known disperser for 35% of the megafaunal-fruit genera. The demise of this magnificent animal has likely resulted in loss of seed dispersal mutualisms and more complex seed shadows of megafaunal plants than can be achieved by elephants,” said Dr Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, researcher and lecturer at the University of Nottingham China.

We have the capacity to protect the other iconic species, such as elephants which threaten our tigers, pangolins and the humble orangutan.

Better management of road ecology, transportation infrastructure and wildlife conservation are crucial to food security.

Ir. PATRICK C. AUGUSTIN

Training & Education Committee

Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia