August 25, 2023

Malaysia aims to cut corn imports by half within five years

Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Malaysia's Agriculture and Food Security Minister, said that Malaysia could significantly reduce its reliance on grain corn imports if domestic production could reach 50% within the next five years, Malay Mail reported.

Currently, Malaysia imports nearly 100% of its corn from foreign sources, prompting the government, particularly Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), to focus on boosting local corn production.

Corn serves as a primary food source for livestock, and while the government has initiated certain measures, it seeks private sector involvement to achieve success in this endeavour.

Emphasising that the government has introduced various incentives to support this initiative, Mohamad Sabu underlined that reducing the outflow of foreign exchange spent on importing corn supplies is a key goal.

Speaking during a working visit to the grain corn project site in the state of Perlis, Mohamad Sabu highlighted the efforts undertaken in the state, with the leading corn cultivation company, Green World Genetics Sdn Bhd, planning to expand cultivation to Sabah as well.

This year, the government allocated MYR 13 million (~US$2.7 million; MYR 1 = US$0.22) for the development of the grain corn industry, encompassing research, studies, quality enhancement, machinery procurement, and planting.

-      Malay Mail