Dr Aimi Zulhazmi, an economic analyst, warns of significant risks to Malaysia's food security due to decreasing agricultural land, ageing population and the reluctance of younger generations to enter the agriculture sector.
Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid, an economic analyst at Universiti Kuala Lumpur, has highlighted significant risks to Malaysia's food security due to declining farmland availability and an ageing population. According to the Khazanah Research Institute report from 2019, agricultural land for the agro-food industry had decreased from 922,200ha in 2010 to a projected 840,700ha by 2020, largely due to conversion for oil palm plantations, urban development and housing projects.
In 2021, the Muda Agricultural Development Authority reported that the average age of padi planters in Malaysia is now 60, with only 15% of Farmers Organisation Authority members under 40. Dr Aimi Zulhazmi noted that about one-fifth of agricultural land is now used for commercial plantations, primarily oil palm, leaving limited space for other agro-products. He also pointed out that food-focused agriculture remains relatively scarce in Malaysia, attributed to inexpensive food imports from neighboring countries making local farming less competitive. The food import bill for Malaysia increased to RM78.79 billion in 2023 from RM75.62 billion previously. Furthermore, the reluctance of younger generations to enter the agriculture sector due to its perceived low social status, reinforced by outdated farming practices, adds to the challenges faced by Malaysia’s food security
Food Security Farmland Decline Aging Population Agriculture Food Imports
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