FOOD security, as defined by the World Food Summit in 1996, “exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.”
This is not merely a policy goal but a fundamental human right, essential for public health, economic stability and social well-being.
In Malaysia, the concept of food security has evolved from a purely agricultural issue to a pillar of national security, built upon the foundations of food availability, accessibility and utilisation.
As an upper-middle-income country with a Global Food Security Index (GFSI) ranking of 41st, Malaysia faces a complex set of challenges and opportunities in its pursuit of a secure and sustainable food future.
This article, examines Malaysia's food security policies, their alignment with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and the strategic imperatives for building a resilient food system.
Malaysia's current food security landscape is a study in contrasts. The nation's GFSI score of 69.9 reflects a moderate performance in availability, affordability, quality and sustainability.
However, a high dependency on imports for key staples, with a food import bill of RM78.79 billion, exposes the country to significant vulnerabilities.
The Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) for rice, a critical staple, stands at 70-75 pe cent, while the SSR for beef is a mere 25 per cent. These figures highlight a critical gap between domestic production and consumption needs.
The nation is also grappling with a range of vulnerability factors, including the impacts of climate change, limited agricultural land, rising production costs and disruptions to the supply chain. These challenges underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to food security.
In response to these challenges, Malaysia has implemented two major policy frameworks: the National Agrofood Policy 1.0 (2011-2020) (NAP 1.0) and the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 (2021-2030) (NAP 2.0).
NAP 1.0 was a ten-year plan designed to increase food production and boost the national economy. However, it was hampered by external challenges, most notably the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which increased the cost of production by 6-15 per cent.
NAP 2.0 represents a strategic shift, aiming to develop a high-technology agrifood sector and address the significant increase in food and beverage prices, which rose by an average of 17.5 per cent between 2020 and 2025. This new policy emphasises a “whole-of-government approach,” fostering collaboration between the International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) and the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFI) to create a more resilient and modern food system.
The alignment of Malaysia's food security policies with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reveals a mixed picture of progress and persistent challenges.
There is a “Direct & Strong Alignment” with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), as evidenced by the fact that 26 food products have achieved over 100 per cent self-sufficiency and the implementation of initiatives like the Kebuniti Program for the B40 community.
However, the alignment is more “Partial & Evolving” with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The most significant “Critical Challenges & Gaps” are found in relation to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDGs 14 and 15 (Life Below Water and On Land).
The fact that 30 per cent of food is wasted annually, at a cost of RM 13.8 billion, and that the agricultural sector contributes 12 per cent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, highlights the urgent need for a more sustainable approach.
The path to a sustainable food system is fraught with dilemmas, chief among them the "Tension between Domestic Environmental Costs versus Agricultural Expansion." The cultivation of paddy, for instance, contributes to rising methane emissions and water pollution, while the expansion of palm oil plantations leads to deforestation and biodiversity loss.
Climate change poses a particularly grave threat, with studies indicating that for each 1°C increase in temperature, rice yields in Malaysia could decrease by 7-10 per cent. Economic factors, such as rising production costs and market volatility, further exacerbate the challenges faced by smallholder farmers.
The food supply chain itself is plagued by inefficiencies, including a lack of cold chain facilities and a complex network of intermediaries that reduces the income share of farmers.
However, digital transformation offers promising solutions to these supply chain challenges. Mobile apps and e-commerce platforms are transforming the way farmers do business, enabling them to connect directly with buyers and bypass the middlemen who have traditionally taken a large cut of their profits.
This digital revolution not only improves price transparency but also provides farmers with a more stable and predictable income. The adoption of these digital platforms has increased by 45 per cent since 2020, demonstrating their growing importance in modernising Malaysia's agricultural sector.
Nevertheless, there is an urgent need to accelerate this trend, particularly among smallholder farmers who stand to benefit most from direct market access and improved pricing mechanisms.
Despite these challenges, the presentation outlines a clear path forward. The future of Malaysia’s food security lies in a tripartite strategy that balances economic security, food security, and environmental care.
This strategy calls for a selective boost in the country’s Self-Sufficiency Level (SSL), with a focus on high-value commodities. The adoption of precision agriculture, as pioneered by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), is a key component of this strategy, as is the valorisation of food waste through the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3-R).
Addressing food waste requires a multi-pronged approach, including investment in cold-chain infrastructure, the modernisation of the food system’s logistics, and the promotion of valorisation practices within communities.
In conclusion, despite strong agricultural fundamentals and improving GFSI performance, Malaysia maintains a high food import bill and shortfalls on self-sufficiency rates for key food commodities.
While a sufficient framework exists and aligns with international standards, the execution of these policies requires significant betterment. As the analysis reveals, several targets from the framework were not attained in NAP 1.0 and NAP 2.0, highlighting the gap between policy formulation and implementation.
The way forward lies in the strategic implementation of the tripartite strategy that balances economic security, food security and environmental care. Malaysia must selectively boost its SSL by focusing on high-value commodities while adopting precision agriculture technologies pioneered by Mardi.
The modernisation of the food system's logistics, coupled with investment in cold-chain infrastructure, will be crucial in reducing the 15-20 per cent post-harvest losses that currently plague the supply chain.
Furthermore, addressing food waste through valorisation practices from within communities, following the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3-R), can significantly contribute to both food security and environmental sustainability. By taking decisive action to address these systemic challenges, Malaysia can build a food system that is not only secure and resilient but also sustainable and equitable for all its citizens.
Colonel Ahmad Rashidi Ithnin RMAF is a serving member of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and currently attending the National Resilience Course in PUSPAHANAS Putrajaya. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.