COVID-19 is a health crisis with curious side effects of food security threats. Panic-buying has emerged as consumers start to stockpile essentials bracing for the movement-control order (MCO) lasting several weeks. Unusually big crowds and long queues in supermarkets across the nation were seen even before the MCO announcement, due to rumours of a national lockdown.

The government was able to calm the situation down by ensuring that the country has enough food and groceries to go around. On top of that, rules have been relaxed where premises involved in the food supply chain are permitted to operate. People are also allowed to leave their homes to perform necessary errands, a vital step in supporting access to food for people.

With the duration of this pandemic left unknown, we can predict that the food supply industry will struggle to cope with domestic production. Certain limitations are expected due to special requirements responding to this pandemic. As an example, for operations that require heavy human-to-human contact, certain issues will arise due to regulatory guidelines that require the practice of social distancing. Due to the whole food supply chain being disrupted, the cost of production may also increase, encouraging unstable food prices.

Another main concern is related to our international trade of agricultural products. Agricultural and food imports account for nearly RM52 billion. Since this outbreak involves nearly every country in the world, import and export activities are surely affected. One of the major problems on the supply side is that Malaysia does not produce enough food for the whole population.

The sufficiency of food demands collective cooperation across different functional groups, which include:

Government

With the current condition, the government needs to keep society calm and avoid panic at all costs. Sustaining food production requires the intervention of subsidies and incentives to encourage rational production decisions from local food producers and manufacturers. Meanwhile, monitoring imported agricultural products is vital. Malaysia imports almost 45% of agricultural products. Some exporting countries may be involved in this Covid-19 crisis, hence alternative sources are needed. A system for distribution must be initiated by the related ministries through thorough planning for commodity reserves to offset price fluctuations in the market.

Agricultural producers/retailers

Being the medium to fulfill necessities and essentials requires tremendous responsibility. Among them are to ensure that enough stocks are available for customers till the MCO ends. At the same time, the food industry needs to take the responsibility of food safety and quality issues of products they are selling. Ethically, an increase in food prices while taking advantage of the current situation should be avoided. It is understandable that certain businesses have been badly affected by Covid-19, but this act will only disrupt market stability in the long run. Since the government has decided to extend the MCO for another two weeks until April 14, businesses need to revise their strategic planning to prevent the agricultural supply-chain from breaking.

Society

Grocery planning is paramount for all households based on the current situation. As we move towards a stringent MCO, the government may apply further restrictions on the duration that people are allowed to leave their homes. The people need to adapt and plan quickly with whatever new regulations that are imposed.

Nevertheless, unnecessary food binge activities should be avoided. At this point of time, nobody is certain how long the MCO will remain. The recently announced stimulus package ensures that the welfare of the people is a main priority during these hard times. While these privileges are meant to cushion the financial burden that certain people are facing during this partial lockdown, it is also sending a clear message to spend wisely and prudently.

Battling issues on a shortage of food supplies is everybody’s responsibility. Without the cooperation between us collectively, all efforts made so far will be useless. As a nation, we must stand together and help to deliver our part. – April 8, 2020.

* Muhammad Mu’az Mahmud is an agribusiness researcher at the Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.