PUTRAJAYA’S guarantee of food sovereignty should involve various types of agricultural produce and not just one type of crop, agricultural groups said.

They believe although there is a need to boost the self-sufficiency level (SSL) of rice production to guarantee food sovereignty, it needs to be extended to other types of food such as livestock and other agricultural products.

National Agricultural Action Agency chairman Mohd Faisal Idris said guaranteeing food sovereignty should not only focus on rice production.

“(Livestock) goats, for example, are not mentioned at all. How much is allocated to guarantee food sovereignty?

“All the money is concentrated on padi. How much cash assistance is given (to rice farmers)? That is not a guarantee of food sovereignty, that is for SSL,” Faisal told The Malaysian Insight.

Putrajaya allocated RM5.39 billion for the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry in Budget 2023, which was tabled last week, an increase of about 12% compared with RM4.81 billion, which was allocated to the ministry in Budget 2022.

Of that amount, RM1.6 billion, along with an additional RM228 million in cash contributions and sharing of 30% of the net profit of rice imports to rice farmers by Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) was channelled to the padi and rice industry, which is part of the food security agenda.

The government aims to increase the national rice SSL rate to 74% for this year, against the rate of 63% in 2021, and 73.80% in last year’s target.

“When it comes to guaranteeing food sovereignty, the government only knows rice.

“Padi and rice are not very difficult commodities for us to get. We can get them from neighbouring countries, or we can open rice farms abroad,” said Faisal.

He said Budget 2023 does not fully detail the country’s food sovereignty guarantee programme, and the sector requires continuous research and development (R&D), which requires large amount of funds.

“The guarantee of food sovereignty requires R&D. There must be more research. For example, if rice is lacking, research must be carried out to find alternatives,” he said.

Of the total RM5.39 billion in the ministry’s budget for 2023, RM3.775 million is allocated for operations and RM1.619 million for development.

For the food security section, RM100 million is allocated to the ministry.

Faisal also questioned the results of R&D carried out by agencies under the ministry, even though large allocations are given every year.

“There are departments that do not need development budgets. What developments do they do? Some are just middlemen, selling food products,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Farmers’ Brotherhood Organisation chairman Mohd Fuad Yaakob welcomed the government’s financial aid for farmers.

Most padi farmers are expected to receive assistance amounting to around RM850 per person per season.

“The government continues giving aid and all subsidies for farmers are maintained. The contribution to rest while waiting for the harvest is RM600 per season, while Bernas’ contribution is RM250.” – February 28, 2023.