Can plantation companies cultivate fruits and vegetables for local consumption? Experts weigh in

SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent call on local plantation companies that have large land reserves to plant vegetables and fruits to cover the country’s growing food needs has sparked mixed reactions among experts and analysts.

Experts provided diverse perspectives and thoughts, shedding light on the complexities of the matter.

Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun said that plantation farms, as businesses rather than charitable organisations, would engage in agricultural ventures that they consider profitable.

"Conventionally, this entails producing both commercial crops (such as oil palm) and food crops (such as durian) primarily for export, as more foreign exchange can be earned."

Oh also stated that the government would inevitably have to subsidise these firms in order to persuade them to plant fruits and vegetables for local consumption at affordable prices.

"It remains to be seen how the government might afford such benefits with its dwindling resources and massive debts.

"Forcing such enterprises to meet these commitments without subsidies would effectively force them out of the agricultural business," he added.

Meanwhile, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) associate professor of political Science Dr Syaza Shukri gave opposing views, stating that it is not only feasible but also important for us in terms of food security.

"It may not have a large impact on lowering the cost of living, but it is the right direction to go in to reduce our reliance on food imports," stated Syaza.

She also believed that more companies, in collaboration with the government, should have the political will to see this effort through.

On Saturday, Anwar stated that he had instructed corporations such as Sime Darby Bhd, FGV Holdings Bhd, and Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd to produce vegetables and fruits to meet the country's expanding food demands.