Protecting seed rights and food security


Photo: LIM BENG TATT/The Star

THE proposed Crop Seed Quality Bill currently reported requires farmers who store, process, share, or sell seed to hold licences and have seed tested at approved laboratories. While it is commendable to protect seed quality, the current approach risks undermining the resilience, equity, and sustainability of Malaysia’s food system.

Smallholder food farmers cultivate small plots and rely heavily on farm-saved seed and local exchange as a low-cost, adaptive practice.

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