WHILE many are fixated on the coming general election, bread and butter issues – particularly the shortage of eggs and chickens – are very much on the minds of Malaysians, who are more concerned with making ends meet than to look at and listen to politicians on ceramah stages spewing promises.

Food security is a global issue that relates to every being on this earth. In Malaysia, fluctuation of prices for poultry and plantation has been associated with domestic and export policies as well as external factors such as diseases, weather (drought or monsoon seasons) and the recent Covid pandemic, which badly impacted the supply chain.

The recent shortage of chicken and eggs also revealed unscrupulous manipulation of cartel and exploitation on smallholders, particularly farmers. With local production failing to cope with the heightening demand, the regulatory approaches employed by the federal government is also perceived as antiquated and overzealous to the economy, curtailing the growth of the chicken trade.  According to the Statistics Department, the per capita consumption for chicken increased to 20.7kg per year from 16.3kg in 2019. A recent op-ed by Ismail Daud in Utusan Malaysia also showed that Malaysians consume 47.4kg of chicken meat and 20.7kg of chicken or duck eggs in 2020, which is relatively higher than the consumption of other poultry.

These figures are enormous. Malaysians should begin consuming alternative staple food. Plant-based protein foods, including plant-based meats, bean curds, nuts, sprouts, beans and potatoes have similar protein amounts like chicken meats, and Malaysians can make this part of their diet. There must be a serious and robust conversation on plant-based protein and meat substitutes, in order to educate the public of its importance from four main facets.

Firstly, the environmental impact. By reducing dependency and consumption on meats, livestock greenhouse gas emissions could be minimised, which in turn will help regulate the impact of climate change. In fact, meat reducers and climate change are closely related.

Secondly, government policies. Huge emphasis of planetary health ought to be inculcated in the policy level with health guidelines from governments achieving consent to limit or reduce meat intake. In 2017, the German government, under the former environment minister, Barbara Hendricks banned meat products at official functions. Hendricks had said this served as a reminder on planetary crisis and sustainability issues. Huge emphasis on planetary health ought to be taken into any policy making and budgeting at multilateral levels for fundamental actions in addressing the issues.

Thirdly, product innovation. Under the purview of Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry, substantial product innovation and campaigns can be an upfront strategy to bring health and sustainability of plant-based proteins to the fore. More protein-based products need to be made affordable and accessible to ensure consumption for the less fortunate and marginalised communities is never a hindrance to achieve balanced health. This requires collaboration among the private sector, agricultural producers, smallholders as well as all players in the entire supply chain.

A firm and transparent funding must be allocated into research and development in the agricultural sector, enlarging the academic sphere, cultivating young talents pool and technological advancements. To this end, collaboration involving government agencies and ministries – such as health; education; agriculture and food industries; domestic trade and consumer affairs as well as science, technology and innovation – should be strategically carried out.

Lastly, innovating the consumer lifestyle. Considering cultural and religious elements, flexitarianism – typically for health or other purposes – should be advocated at school and community levels. The immediate benefits of the rise of flexitarianism would not only be contributing to curb detrimental health issues (malnutrition, stunting and obesity among children) and climate crisis in the country, but also help to drive the growth of plant-based foods and meat substitutes, which benefits the economic wheel.

Extracting a definition from the World Health Organization: food security is when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life, policy makers and leaders are urged to strategise and develop policy frameworks that benefit the people and prioritise the wellbeing of those in need of basic needs, like food. – October 24, 2022.

* Iris Ng Pei Yi reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.