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.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Letters

Rework e-invoicing: Propose voluntary participation to preserve Malaysian SMES
Hoping for a balanced education system��
VM2026 an opportunity to build economic resilience
Seeking Bank Negara’s intervention in unfair practices�
Look for other ways to save for retirement
Promoting equitable growth in care economy
Rush to publish raises concerns on research integrity
Why Malaysia needs a guided standard in education
Safety leadership a moral imperative
Grok controversy a case study in product liability

Others Also Read