For instance, as DoSM data shows, fewer agricultural items registered growth in local production in 2022 compared with 2021.

In 2022, local production of 24 such items rose, compared with 28 in 2021.

In his policy brief for 2024, senior visiting fellow at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Larry Wong said there is also a need to incorporate nutrition, diet and health factors into long-term food security within a more holistic national approach and response.

Life expectancy in Malaysia currently stands at about 75 years but the final 10 years, on average, are non-healthy years. Thus, what we know as average healthy life expectancy is severely compromised, leaving it closer to 65 years.

Furthermore, the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) is alarming. Nearly 2.3 million adults in Malaysia live with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or obesity.

About 16% of adults have diabetes, 29% have hypertension and 33% have high cholesterol.

The country is in a vulnerable position, but all is not lost.

Becoming more resilient can help Malaysians reverse the tide, and the 13th Malaysia Plan presents and opportunity.

The problem at hand 

Malaysia’s population is projected to rise from 34.1 million currently to 45 million in 2050 – a 32% increase in just one generation.

In the face of this and other challenges, how do we feed more people without using more land and water while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving climate resilience?

As we rethink Malaysia’s long-term plan to ensure food security, we will have to consider innovative strategies and policies that build on past gains, although that may also often require on-course corrections.

We must also not forget the importance of leveraging on collaboration among government, industry and communities to create a balanced and holistic approach to address and manage the multifaceted dimensions of food and nutrition security.

Hanging by a thread

Many factors, from weather patterns to politics, have an impact on food security, making it highly vulnerable.

For instance, Malaysia was essentially an agriculture-based economy when it gained independence, but the shift of priorities to manufacturing led to a decline in productivity on the farm.

This has disrupted food supply, leading to inflation.

Other challenges, such as climate change, have only made things worse.

The five major food crises from 1972 to 2023 – caused by severe weather conditions, financial turmoil and rising prices – only underscore our vulnerability.

For instance, food security expert Fatimah Mohamed Arshad pointed out, in 2008 and 2023, Malaysia struggled to produce enough rice to feed the population.

“Production continued to decline despite heavy subsidies and numerous market interventions,” she recalled.

What we need: Shaping demand

The hope is that including a roadmap for radical change under the 13th Malaysia Plan can shape demand and supply, thus improving food security.

However, it won’t be a walk in the park.

For a start complete self-sufficiency, and a lower import bill, while ideal, are not quite good indicators of food security. The next best thing, according to experts, is to tackle the problems that can lead to a crisis.

For instance, raising production that can better meet the demand for safe and nutritious food may improve security, in all its dimensions.

Given that consumption patterns are also driven by availability and physical access to sufficient food as well as economic conditions, transforming the way food is produced, processed, delivered and consumed is key to ensuring a sufficient, safe and sustainable food ecosystem.

Ensuring safe and adequate supply 

Fatimah said making a major revamp a key objective of the 13th Malaysia Plan is essential to ensure food security, resilience and sustainability in Malaysia’s food ecosystem.

“The landscape will become more volatile and complex as new challenges such as climate instability, disruptive technology, geopolitical shifts and dynamic changes leave an impact on consumer behaviour,” she said.

The answer, she said, is to commit seriously to R&D to improve productivity through the use of advanced technology in farming and marketing while encouraging young entrepreneurs to drive the agricultural sector.

She said Malaysia’s emergence as a regional data centre hub for tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Oracle now gives the country the opportunity to be a forerunner in technology-smart and climate-smart agriculture in the region.

Using innovation to feed the nation 

Innovation is key to taking the country to the next level and the 13th Malaysia Plan should provide the strategy to achieve this objective.

John Tey of Universiti Putra Malaysia said agricultural innovation will be a game changer.

But, he pointed out, innovation requires talent. “Talent is the most valuable resource that drives progress,” he told FMT.

For instance, Tey said, individuals with entrepreneurial skills can inspire and help farmers with sustainable farming models, while those with technical expertise are good at supporting farmers with operational efficiency, technological access and market insights.

“Those who excel independently can guide farmers in terms of resource management and problem-solving,” he said.

“These talented individuals are like leaders who inspire change. They see opportunities where others see challenges. They have an exceptional ability to spot business opportunities and mobilise collective action,” he added.

Tey said talents also attract external support such as private sector investment and contributions from influential community figures.

As he pointed out, more forward-thinking transformative agents are needed to accelerate agricultural growth sustainably.

Work together

Experts have pointed out that food security strategies must be implemented in a more integrated manner, and collaboration among government, industry players and research institutions is key to providing solutions that will benefit the food security agenda in the country.

Its impact on both production and consumption helps public and private sector efforts to transform the food ecosystem to deliver all that is needed to meet the objectives of the sustainable development goals.

Wide public input is also helpful in ensuring success of this transformation process and Malaysians can share their ideas at https://rmk13.ekonomi.gov.my/