July 31, 2023

Malaysia seeks to cut dependence on food imports by establishing corn cultivation industry

Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is actively implementing various strategies to reduce the country's dependency on food imports.

Deputy secretary-general (Development) Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd said the measures include setting up a corn cultivation industry. Aware of the country's dependency on imported corn, Badrul said the cooperation of all parties to obtain the land needed to increase grain corn production is crucial.

"Efforts to create a grain corn cultivation industry began seven years ago, and we are now in the midst of stabilising this industry as an alternate food source for livestock versus bran," Badrul said. "It would take 15 years to grow this industry, so by 2032 or 2033, we will be ready to begin large-scale grain corn cultivation in the country."

Corn is vital to Malaysia's livestock industry in order to control the rising prices of chicken and eggs, where chicken farming is 65% to 70% dependent on corn as animal feed.

Under the Madani Economy announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the government would focus on improving the country's self-sufficiency level and strengthening food security.

These efforts include increasing cultivation areas while optimising existing farmland.

 - Bernama