Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia’s newly-launched National Food Security Policy 2030 (DKMN 2030) is intended to serve as the country’s main framework for strengthening food supply resilience amid climate volatility, geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global supply chains, according to Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof.
Speaking at the policy launching ceremony, Fadillah said the initiative is not merely a policy document but a strategic direction for Malaysia’s national food security agenda. He noted that the global food system is currently facing what he described as a “perfect storm”, driven by extreme climate events, pest and disease outbreaks, geopolitical conflicts and land-use pressures, all of which have contributed to higher logistics costs and rising food inflation worldwide.
Fadillah warned that heavy reliance on external supply chains has increased countries’ vulnerability to global economic shocks, stressing that Malaysia therefore requires a long-term and comprehensive policy to ensure food availability, affordability and sustainability.
Despite the challenging global environment, he said Malaysia’s food security situation remains relatively stable, with strong self-sufficiency ratios in several key sectors. In 2024, poultry and eggs recorded self-sufficiency ratios of 92.9% and 107%, respectively, while fruits and tropical vegetables also maintained healthy levels, although rice and milk production remained at moderate levels.
However, Fadillah cautioned that current achievements cannot guarantee future security, noting that DKMN 2030 is designed to future-proof the agri-food sector through structural reforms and innovation.
Under the policy, the government will focus on five core pillars, including sustainability and resilience, farmer welfare, economic growth, food safety and quality, and reducing food loss and waste.
The policy also places strong emphasis on digitalisation through smart agriculture, including the application of drones, Internet of Things systems and artificial intelligence to boost productivity and attract younger generations to the sector.
Fadillah also underscored that food security requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, involving multiple ministries, state governments, the private sector and research institutions. At the regional level, he said Malaysia has demonstrated leadership by helping secure consensus on the ASEAN Vision for Food, Agriculture and Forestry towards 2045.
He added that the government is currently drafting a National Food Security Act to provide a strong legal foundation for safeguarding the country’s food sovereignty in the long term./.
