Towards a Sustainable Agricultural Policy: Addressing Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Security

In navigating the current trajectory of agricultural policy and practices in our nation, it’s evident that the existing agricultural landscape is not aligning with the imperative goals of expansion, adoption, and reinforcement of food sufficiency, food sovereignty, and nutrition security. Instead, it seems to be swaying more towards the internal and international capitalist interests rather than genuine commitment.

A critical inquiry arises regarding the comparative emphasis on the strengthening of the plantation sector vis-à-vis farming and commodities. Is the plantation sector capable of supplying 100% organic/natural agricultural products? Moreover, the existing plantation sector and policies tend to favor conglomerate control, potentially leaving smallholders marginalized.

Efforts to reduce agricultural wastage, largely attributed to the direct influence of capitalism, are imperative. The domination of the wheat flour market, both locally and globally, raises questions about the nation’s ability to produce local staples like cassava, tubers, maize, etc., thereby reducing dependence on wheat flour.

Is there a necessity for the nation to implement a sustainable herbal production policy to support community health? With a global trend towards skepticism and inadequacy in hospital medicine, local herbal medicine presents a promising market potential.

The goal of reducing agricultural imports by 50% within the next 5 years should be a primary national agenda. Besides conserving foreign exchange, this move can enhance the monthly income of small and medium-scale farmers.

The resilience of the livestock sector in supplying healthy, nutritious meat at affordable prices with reduced import reliance is crucial.

Agriculture is intricately linked to issues of hunger, poverty, and nutritional deficiencies. How can agriculture mitigate urban poverty, community hunger, and nutritional deficiencies among the underprivileged? Embracing nutritional farming practices is essential, paving the way towards nutritional security.

In the capitalist worldview and its operational practices, waste seems inevitable, often compromising public health. Therefore, the nation must explore what is termed as a ‘new paradigm of significant meaningful constructive breakthrough.’ Reforms in both animal husbandry and agriculture are imperative, with a greater focus on supporting breeders over traders.

A note from Azhan Hj Mohamad