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MALAYSIA must lessen its dependence on food imports by taking measures to ensure food security in the long term.

Currently, global food systems are under strain from geopolitical conflicts, export restrictions, climate disruptions and rising costs.

In times of crisis, exporting countries often prioritise their own populations, leaving import-dependent nations exposed to sudden supply shortages.

At the same time, currency pressures further deepen the problem, making imported food more expensive, placing a direct burden on consumers.

Food is increasingly treated as a commodity driven by market forces and profit, rather than as a basic necessity that must be accessible and affordable to all.

This benefits larger commercial and global market interests at the expense of producers and consumers. Small farmers struggle to remain viable, while consumers face rising prices and reduced access to nutritious food.

Overreliance on imports has also weakened local agriculture. Value within the food chain is frequently captured by intermediaries and larger players, rather than those who actually produce the food.

A similar pattern can be seen in the management of natural resources. Increasingly, ecosystems — including the seas that sustain fisheries — are treated as spaces for economic exploitation rather than as living systems that support food production and communities, leading to food insecurity.

However, food security alone is not sufficient without food sovereignty — the ability of a nation to control its own food systems, prioritise local production and ensure that food policies serve its people, not external market forces.

Malaysia must therefore strengthen domestic food production. It is not just an economic necessity — it is a matter of sovereignty, public interest and national responsibility. 

This requires policies that prioritise local production, protect agricultural resources, support small producers and ensure that food remains accessible and affordable to all.

M.S Anuar Mahmod

Secretary, Rural Malaysia  – Persatuan Pengguna Luar Bandar & Ekologi Malaysia

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