Yes, according to the architects of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), tabled in late July by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
By prioritising food security, the plan aims to safeguard national resilience, revive stagnating rural economies, and drive the circular economy.
Despite having vast arable land, Malaysia remains heavily dependent on food imports, valued at about RM78.8 billion in 2023.
A national imperative
This heavy reliance not only widens the trade deficit but also exposes the country to global price shocks, currency swings, and climate disruption.
With global supply chains becoming increasingly fragile, a robust food‑security strategy is essential to national sovereignty.
Malaysia currently ranks 41st among 113 countries in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) 2022, lagging behind several nations with fewer natural resources.
To close this gap, the 13MP targets higher self-sufficiency ratios (SSR) for key commodities under the National Agrofood Policy 2021–2030: fruits (83%), vegetables (79%), beef or buffalo meat (50%), poultry meat (140%), poultry eggs (123%), fisheries (98%), and rice (80%).
To hit those targets, the government has outlined plans for large-scale agricultural expansion in Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu, Sabah, and Sarawak, supported by upgraded irrigation, better crop and livestock varieties, and modern fisheries and aquaculture technologies.
Increasing the five-season rice cycle in Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Selangor, Perak, Penang, and Sarawak remains central to boosting rice self-sufficiency.
Rural rejuvenation
Prioritising food security through large-scale farming delivers a vital strategic benefit: the modernisation and revitalisation of Malaysia’s rural heartlands, home to some 7.5 million
people.
The 13MP calls for a paradigm shift – repositioning agriculture as a pivotal sector and not an afterthought, to nurture a modern, sustainable, high-value agriculture sector that is scalable
yet protective of smallholders.
Through agro‑innovation hubs, smart farming grants, and agrotourism support, rural communities are encouraged to view farming as a tech‑savvy, entrepreneurial pursuit, making high‑value agriculture a viable prospect for younger Malaysians who have traditionally migrated to cities.
Collaboration with local governments and councils is key. The 13MP promotes people‑centred, place‑based strategies, where state governments, cooperatives, and communities co‑design agri‑development pathways tailored to local needs.
This approach aims to reverse the hollowing out of hinterland communities and make agriculture a meaningful economic opportunity.
From waste to wealth
As Malaysia moves towards a more sustainable future under the 13MP, embracing the principles of a circular economy is central to its growth strategy.
This approach seeks to reduce the consumption of natural resources and minimise waste throughout the production and consumption cycles.
When tabling the plan, Anwar said, “Agricultural waste will no longer be waste. It will power the rural circular economy.”
By-products, such as paddy husks, palm fronds, fruit peels, and livestock manure, are to be repurposed as compost, biofuel, or biogas feedstock, reducing landfill reliance and generating new income for smallholders.
The 13MP also promotes initiatives such as community composting facilities, decentralised biogas projects, and R&D into bio-based materials. These will serve dual goals: reducing environmental impact and creating new revenue streams for rural stakeholders.
Reforming the agrofood ecosystem
Sceptics have questioned whether the 13MP can make the transition from vision to execution.
These efforts must be underpinned by a commitment to systemic reform, such as dismantling cartel practices in the agricultural sector to ensure transparency and efficiency across the supply chain, and uptake of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive productivity.
The government must also walk the talk, for example, through policies mandating the exclusive use of local produce at government events to support rural producers.
Flying the flag is agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu, who recently championed homegrown avocados to promote local sourcing.
Further acceleration is expected via financial mechanisms, including grants and smart‑farming financing to modernise farming operations with AI and precision agriculture technologies—tools essential for raising SSRs and productivity.
Farming is the future
As the 13MP rolls out, Malaysia is reframing food security as more than just a defence against external shocks. It is a strategic tool for inclusive growth, connecting farming to financial resilience and turning waste into wealth.
This approach places agriculture and rural development at the economic forefront, acknowledging the developmental needs and priorities of rural communities.
With robust policy backing, technology adoption, and local engagement, farming – especially at high value and scale – can emerge as a financially viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially empowering profession.
In the coming years, food security is set to become Malaysia’s unexpected engine of rural prosperity, with the heartlands powering the nation’s progress.