Questioning the focus on self-sufficiency as a realistic food security solution

While Mat Sabu's concerns about food security are valid, critics caution that pushing for full self-sufficiency may be both unrealistic and economically inefficient. Malaysia has limited arable land, labour shortages in agriculture, and high production costs for staples like rice. Trying to produce everything domestically could drive up food prices, hurting low-income families the most. Instead, some economists advocate a more balanced approach: maintain trade diversification, build strategic reserves, and invest in logistics to ensure stable imports even during crises. They point out that countries like Japan and South Korea, despite heavy subsidies, still import large amounts of food. Geopolitical tensions are a risk, but they are not the only factor. Climate change, water scarcity, and aging farmers pose bigger long-term threats. Moreover, defence-led agricultural planning might divert attention from structural reforms needed in the sector, such as improving supply chains and reducing post-harvest losses. Rather than a crash programme for self-sufficiency, experts recommend targeted support for high-value crops where Malaysia has a comparative advantage, and strengthening regional trade agreements to secure food supplies. The real question is not whether to act, but how to spend limited resources wisely.