Malaysia can ill afford to be continuously dependent on its neighbours should it experience any food shortage in the nearest time, say experts.
They believe that despite pledges and commitments given by Asean members to prioritise food export commodities to their counterparts facing shortages, Malaysia has to focus on enhancing its domestic agricultural capabilities and develop a stable mechanism to ensure the country's stockpile is sufficient in the long run.
Food security expert Dr Nur Ameera A. Jaz from Universiti Malaya said such a mechanism could be achieved if the government invests more in the research and development of food security, which is crucial to promoting sustainable farming practices.
Citing Indonesia's success rate of 90 per cent self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) in local rice production, Ameera said Malaysia could also emulate the republic's effective strategies in the agriculture sector.
"The success of Indonesia in achieving a 90 per cent SSR in rice production demonstrates (the republic's) effective strategies in the agriculture sector.
"Hence, while having Asean support is vital during crises, Malaysia should focus on enhancing its domestic agricultural capabilities.
"Encouraging local farmers to adopt modern technologies, promoting sustainable farming practices and investing in research and development are crucial steps," she told the New Straits Times.
On Thursday at the 45th Asean Ministers of Agriculture Forestry meeting here, Asean food-producing nations pledged to prioritise the export of food commodities to member countries facing shortages.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the commitment was one of the significant decisions reached during the meeting.
"We discussed the issue of food security, for example, if there is a shortage among Asean countries, we hope that other Asean countries can quickly step in to provide support," he was quoted as saying.
On the issue of food aid, Ameera said that given the current scenario of local rice supply, Malaysia could also strategically seek assistance from the world's largest rice exporters, such as Thailand and Vietnam, following their significant advancements in padi production.
"Previously, Malaysia sourced a significant portion of its rice supply from India, making it a key player in our supply chain, but recent changes in the latter's export policies have impacted our local supply.
"Given the current situation (of local rice supply), Malaysia needs to import 1.2 million tonnes of rice to meet domestic utilisation requirements."
Universiti Sains Malaysia's Professor Dr Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda said despite Asean's pledge, it was also imperative that the government replenish its depleting stockpile.
"We cannot be dependent on other countries to supply us with food continually, we have to develop our agriculture industry and explore new methods that can produce enough food, which is at the same time nutritious and safe.
"Hence, the government must replenish the stockpile that is depleting, we cannot allow our food chest or food bank to be empty for so long."
At the same time, he added that if no stable mechanism was developed, Malaysia cannot afford to offer its counterparts the support they need.
"Thailand has the resources to help us when there is food shortages in Malaysia, particularly rice supply, as it is our closest neighbour.
"However, what we can offer them in return will depend on our food availability. In normal circumstances, we can sell them poultry and eggs. However, we are also suffering from shortages."