Malaysia targets 80% rice self-sufficiency to bolster food security

Malaysia's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mohamad Sabu, has stated that the nation's rice self-sufficiency level (SSR) must be increased to at least 80 percent to ensure stable food supplies. He noted that the current rate of below 60 percent is insufficient for national food security, especially given current geopolitical uncertainties that could disrupt global trade routes and increase import costs.

To achieve these goals, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security plans to strengthen the national paddy and rice ecosystem by increasing productivity, reinforcing supply chains, and expanding the use of technology. Key initiatives include encouraging companies to develop larger paddy fields in collaboration with state governments, reopening abandoned paddy areas, and upgrading existing fields.

The government aims to integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, and data usage into the agricultural sector. Additionally, the Ministry is exploring integrated farming approaches, such as combining giant freshwater prawn farming with paddy cultivation, a method observed during a recent visit to China.