Climate Change Threatens Food Security in Malaysia and Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, MARCH 2 (Bernama) — Climate change poses a growing threat to Malaysia’s food security, with erratic weather patterns and rising temperatures disrupting global agriculture. The Agriculture and Food Security Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, warned that Malaysia and the region remain vulnerable to climate change threats, emphasizing the need for regional collaboration to address potential food shortages.
Challenges in Food Production
Malaysia’s domestic food production faces increasing risks due to climate change. "We have enough stock of rice for at least six months. But we don’t know what will happen because of climate change, so food security is important," said Mohamad Sabu. He added that the country needs to work with other regional countries to safeguard its food security, as the country’s paddy production has decreased significantly. "Our paddy production was 71 per cent before but now it is only 56 per cent. About 20,000 hectares of paddy land were converted for housing projects and our young generation refuses to work in the paddy field because of low income," he said.
Rice Imports and Exports
Cambodia is a major rice exporter, with a total of 651,522 tonnes of rice exported last year. The country exports a variety of rice, including fragrant rice, white grains, parboiled rice, and organic rice. Its "Sen Kro Ob" fragrance long-grain rice variety is renowned worldwide. Malaysia imports about 50,000 metric tonnes of fragrant rice from Cambodia, contributing to the 30 per cent, or 700,000 metric tonnes, of rice imports needed to meet the country’s national consumption of nearly 2.5 million metric tonnes.
Geopolitical Challenges and Uncertainty
Geopolitical challenges, uncertain export policies of rice producers, and erratic weather conditions could quickly disrupt supply in the international market, impacting importing countries. "We had a rice problem in Malaysia last year, especially when India stopped exports of white rice to other countries because they had their internal problem," said Mohamad Sabu. India, the world’s second major rice exporter after China, temporarily banned non-basmati rice exports in 2023 to curb high inflation and rising domestic food prices. However, last year the Indian government lifted the ban.
Cooperation and Opportunities
During his recent visit to Cambodia, Mohamad Sabu discussed rice production extensively with his Cambodian counterpart, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, Dith Tina. The two countries did not sign any agreements, but discussed potential opportunities for cooperation in the agriculture sector. Cambodia produces five times more rice than Malaysia, and Mohamad Sabu suggested that Malaysia could buy more rice from Cambodia if needed. The country’s fisheries sector is also strong, with an abundance of snakehead fish.
Conclusion
Climate change poses significant threats to food security in Malaysia and Cambodia. The two countries must work together to address these challenges and ensure a stable food supply. By cooperating on agriculture, fisheries, and trade, they can mitigate the impact of climate change and ensure a better future for their citizens.
FAQs
Q: What are the main challenges to food security in Malaysia?
A: Climate change, erratic weather patterns, and rising temperatures are disrupting global agriculture, posing a significant threat to Malaysia’s food security.
Q: What is the current state of paddy production in Malaysia?
A: Malaysia’s paddy production has decreased significantly, from 71 per cent to 56 per cent, due to climate change and other factors.
Q: What is Cambodia’s role in rice production and trade?
A: Cambodia is a major rice exporter, with a total of 651,522 tonnes of rice exported last year. It exports a variety of rice, including fragrant rice, white grains, parboiled rice, and organic rice.
Q: How can Malaysia and Cambodia work together to address food security challenges?
A: The two countries can cooperate on agriculture, fisheries, and trade to mitigate the impact of climate change and ensure a stable food supply.
Q: What is the current state of trade between Malaysia and Cambodia?
A: Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Cambodia reached US$780 million as of November last year.