Script for AGR553 Video Presentation

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/11/15/rising-concerns-over-food-security

Hi, my name is Isaac Libu Anak Forest from class AT220 4A.

Today, topic that I want to discuss is about rising concerns over food security. The current
government's top priorities should include ensuring food security, increasing food production,
lowering imports and food waste, and resolving supply disruptions and rising inflation. Malaysia still
has food insecurity despite having plenty of land, resources, and governmental programmers.

Malaysia was ranked 40th on the Global Security Food Index (GSFI) five years ago, with a significant
reliance on imports for basic food items. After the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysia is currently ranked
41st on the Global Food Security Index (GSFI).

The reality is that Malaysia's agricultural productivity is only 45% of the average for high-income
countries, meaning it cannot feed its population and support its industries.

The agriculture sector faces structural issues related to uncertainty over farm ownership and leasing,
labour shortages leading to an increase in idle agricultural land, low productivity and quality of
agricultural produce, low level of automation and technology adoption, as well as high dependence
on foreign labour.

Progress in ensuring food security

As we all know, the focus of Malaysian agriculture's expansion has been on the export of cash crops,
with advances in the production of food crops coming in a distant second. This order of priority
should be assessed considering current trade interruptions brought on by COVID-19 limitations,
supply chain disruptions, and outright military confrontations.

The Malaysian government does a good job of keeping food prices reasonable through price controls
and different subsidies, but the nation falls short especially in the areas of agricultural research and
development (R&D) and climate change adaptation. According to the United Nations Food and
Agricultural Organization, Malaysia has less average output than South Korea, Indonesia, and the
Philippines despite having a higher percentage of fertile land. Unexpected rain and flooding have
wrecked farms and crops across the nation, resulting in losses to the agriculture sector of more than
RM68 million.

To increase the productivity and resilience of the agriculture industry, a stronger commitment and
significant expenditures are needed

According to Lee Heng Guie, executive director of the Socio-Economic Research Centre, Malaysia
needs to reevaluate the development of the agricultural sector to lessen the effects of continuously
rising food prices and lower the rising costs of food imports.
Agricultural sector needs reset

1. A single payment for sustainable agricultural techniques, such as the enhancement of soil health,
rainwater collecting, and intercropping, should replace the current subsidy structure for farm inputs
like seeds and fertilizers.

2. For sustainable, modern agricultural methods, Grassroots agriculture innovation, new

technologies such as artificial intelligence, as well as the use of drones and robotics, should be
implemented. This will boost crop productivity.

3. The suggested food subsidy card for B40 members needs to be improved further, for example, by
expanding the database to include illegal immigrants, to guarantee that food is both affordable and
available to everyone

Steps taken by other countries

In Switzerland, where agriculture is equally essential to the nation's security as banking, insurance,
and military supplies, food security has become a concern.

For Israel increased the productivity of its agricultural industry using drip irrigation and
contemporary farming techniques, hitting 90% in food SSR.

Food security action plan

Malaysia is trailing behind when it comes to the food security initiatives implemented by top-tier
nations. However, the nation is in a good position to implement best practices by having the goals
outlined in important policy documents including the National Food Security Policy Action Plan
(NFSPAP) 2021–2025 and but political commitment and effective implementation are still required.

The initiatives listed would improve Malaysia's agriculture industry in a comprehensive way by
boosting infrastructure, empowering local food producers, and encouraging cooperation between
the many ecosystem players.

Preventing food wastage

According to landfill operator SW Corp Malaysia, over to 17,000 tons of food waste are reported in
Malaysia every day. The next administration's primary priority should include ensuring food security,
increasing food production, lowering imports and food waste, and resolving supply disruptions and
rising inflation.

The issue of food waste must also be addressed; focusing only on food production is insufficient. The
government can direct the creation of a secondary market for food that is about to expire and, if not
consumed, will shortly be thrown away.

Kuen, Y. L. (2022, November 15). Rising concerns over food security. The Star.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/11/15/rising-concerns-over-food-security

Conclusion

We hope that the current government will do its best to ensure food security by raising and
expanding food production, lowering imports and food waste, and resolving supply disruptions and
rising inflation soon. Despite having plenty of lands, resources, and government programmers,
Malaysia still suffers from food insecurity.