Biotech Updates

Malaysia’s Strategies to Address Food Shortage

April 25, 2008

The Malaysian government is seriously looking into addressing the impending global food shortage and efforts have been channeled into this issue with a proposed Food Security Policy. The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has urged big conglomerates to venture into food crops rather than just plantation crops. The government will ensure that the country will increase its self-sufficiency in food from the current 60 to 70 per cent to 100 per cent.

The government has allocated RM 4 billion (US $1.3 billion) to increase food production and to keep prices low. Large areas of land in Sarawak will be converted into intensive rice cultivation area to reduce rice imports. Sarawak is expected to be the nation’s next rice bowl. The funds will also be used to increase production of fruits and vegetables. Long term plans are in the pipeline besides stockpiling food such as rice.

For more news on developments on crop biotech in Malaysia contact Mahaletchumy Arujanan of the Malaysia Biotechnology Information Center at maha@bic.org.my.