Norsida Man from UPM says the threat of higher tariffs by US president Donald Trump, and its impact on other countries, could reduce global agricultural trade.
00:01Modern, large-scale farming and investment in research can cushion the impact of a trade war on national food security, according to an academic.
00:11University Pucca Malaysia's Nor Sida Man said targeted fuel subsidy savings could be redirected to the agricultural sector to boost production, reduce food imports, and mitigate food security risks.
00:23Another academic from UPM, Christopher Tay, highlighted the importance of investing more in the modernization of agriculture, especially through the use of latest technologies and machinery incorporating artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
00:39He also called for the development of more food processing centers, post-harvest facilities, collection and distribution hubs, as well as cold chain systems to reduce food waste.
00:51He said this is because one-third of Malaysia's agricultural produce is lost due to weak logistics.
00:59The government allocated RM6.42 billion to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry in Budget 2025 to implement various policies with a focus on boosting productivity.
