Malaysia targets 30% local grain corn production to cut imports

Malaysia is aiming to achieve at least 30 percent self-sufficiency in grain corn production to strengthen national food security and reduce reliance on imports. Between 2010 and 2024, the country imported an average of 2.5 million metric tons of grain corn annually, valued at over RM3 billion.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that the initiative is a response to global geopolitical uncertainties and climate change risks that threaten supply chains. The government is launching large-scale cultivation projects, including planned areas in Perlis (2,500 hectares) and Sarawak (5,500 hectares), alongside existing efforts in Perak, Johor, Pahang, and Sepang.

The project utilizes local grain corn varieties, MZ1 and MZ2, developed by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) for their resilience. This initiative follows a memorandum of understanding between the government and Genting Plantations Berhad. The government also targets a 30 percent reduction in dependence on imported seeds by 2040.