Ensuring sustainability of M’sia’s food security

SMES set to play vital role in addressing challenges

ALTHOUGH Malaysia’s food security landscape is not at an alarming level, it has been a continuous concern and there are challenges which need to be addressed to ensure its long-term sustainability. This is where the small and medium enterprises (SMES) as the backbone of the economy can assist.

According to Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (MRANTI) chief ecosystem development officer Safuan Zairi, SMES are poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges and enhancing the nation’s food security landscape.

By leveraging agricultural technologies, particularly those associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), SMES can facilitate sustainable and efficient farming practices.

These technologies encompass a wide range of innovations, including precision agriculture, which can significantly improve crop yields and reduce resource wastage.

“SMES can actively promote the adoption of agri-tech solutions among smallholder farmers. By providing access to affordable technologies and offering training and support services, SMES can empower farmers to enhance their productivity and profitability.

“They can develop innovative solutions to address food loss and waste along the agricultural value chain.

“This may involve implementing recycling practices, improving storage and transportation facilities, and establishing alternative distribution channels to ensure that surplus produce reaches consumers efficiently,” he tells Starbizweek.

For example, he says the eladang programme, part of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corp’s (MDEC) digital agriculture technology (Agtech) initiative, implemented in various regions across the country, has deployed satellite farms equipped with advanced technologies.

The Satellite Farms initiative has led to significant improvements of 22% in productivity, quality and income for smallholder farmers, thereby contributing to the overall resilience of Malaysia’s food supply chain, he adds.

In PPK Kuala Langat, Safuan says small chilli planters have witnessed a remarkable 33% increase in yields and 22% in income through the adoption of agri-tech solutions.

These success stories serve as inspiration and encouragement for other farmers to embrace modern farming practices, he points out.

On the challenges in the country’s food security landscape, he says one of the primary challenges is the lack of awareness and interest among the youth in pursuing careers in agriculture. He says many young Malaysians prefer white-collar jobs over agriculture-related occupations, which could potentially hinder the growth of the agricultural sector.

Another hurdle is that the smallholder farmers often face difficulties in accessing financing due to perceived high risks by banks. This lack of financial support impedes their ability to invest in modern farming techniques and technologies, thus limiting their productivity and competitiveness, he explains.

Zooming into the food security landscape, Safuan says it presents a mixed picture. “While the country isn’t in dire straits, there are significant challenges that need addressing to ensure long-term sustainability. Malaysia relies heavily on imports for certain food items, which poses risks, particularly in times of global disruptions or price fluctuations.

“For instance, although Malaysia produces a considerable amount of rice and ginger domestically, self-sufficiency levels hover around 60% and 20%, respectively. These are staples of the Malaysian diet, making it crucial to strengthen local production to reduce reliance on imports,” he adds.

MRANTI, which comes under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry, is Malaysia’s central research and innovation commercialisation agency that accelerates ideas to market.

Commenting on the term “smart agriculture” and some key areas within this concept that Malaysian SMES can tap into to enhance food production and resilience, Datuk Wira Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff, the chief executive officer of MRANTI, says from the perspective of SMES, there are several key areas within smart agriculture that can be tapped to enhance food production and resilience.

These include precision farming, data-driven decision making and supply chain management. He says precision farming involves the precise monitoring and management of crops, soil conditions, and irrigation needs using IOT sensors and drones.

“By deploying these technologies, SMES can optimise resource usage, minimise wastage and increase yields. For example, sensors can provide real-time data on soil moisture levels, allowing farmers to adjust irrigation schedules accordingly, thus conserving water and improving crop health,” he says.

Rais says big data analytics play a crucial role in smart agriculture by providing valuable insights into crop performance, weather patterns and market trends.

Malaysian SMES can leverage data analytics tools to gather, analyse, and interpret vast amounts of agricultural data, enabling informed decision-making, he notes.

By understanding factors such as optimal planting times, pest and disease outbreaks, and market demand, he adds SMES can optimise their farming practices and maximise productivity.

Apart from this, he says effective supply chain management is essential for ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of agricultural products to consumers.

“Malaysian SMES can utilise blockchain technology to enhance transparency and security in the agricultural supply chain.

“By implementing blockchain-based systems, SMES can create immutable records of transactions and product movements,

“SMES can actively promote the adoption of agri-tech solutions among smallholders.” Safuan Zairi

thereby ensuring traceability and quality control.

“This not only builds consumer trust, but also helps to prevent fraud and contamination issues, ultimately enhancing the resilience of the agricultural supply chain,” explains Rais.

Smart agriculture, also known as Agriculture 4.0, is a concept that integrates advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IOT), big data and artificial intelligence (AI) into traditional farming practices to enhance efficiency and productivity.

This approach to agriculture involves the use of sensors, drones, satellites and AI algorithms to monitor and manage various aspects of agricultural production.

To a question on Malaysia’s future food security landscape, Safuan says looking ahead, through initiatives like the National Technology Innovation Sandbox or NTIS and the Food Security Sandbox, he envisions significant impacts on the country’s food security landscape in the coming years.

He says MRANTI, among others, aims to elevate the national self-sufficiency level for local food production, reducing reliance on imports and bolstering resilience against external disruptions by leveraging on 4IR technologies.

“We strive to increase productivity, yields and revenue within the agriculture industry by implementing innovative technologies and practices. Amidst labour shortages in the agriculture sector, MRANTI aims to reduce labour costs and manpower dependency through automation and efficiency improvements.

“The agency is also committed to reducing the ecological footprint of farming, implementing sustainable practices that preserve natural resources and mitigate environmental impacts. In the next five to 10 years, we hope to see a transformed food security landscape in Malaysia, characterised by increased self-sufficiency, improved productivity, reduced labour dependency, and enhanced environmental sustainability,” Safuan notes.