'Cushion against crises': Mat Sabu urges Malaysians to grow own food
SERDANG: Home gardening can provide families with a supplementary source of food during supply disruptions while helping reduce daily expenses, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu has urged Malaysians to cultivate their own food through home gardening as a means to bolster household resilience against potential crises. The Kebun di Rumah Sendiri (Kendiri) campaign encourages citizens to grow everyday vegetables and herbs in spaces such as yards, balconies, and community areas.
By growing a portion of their daily vegetable and herb requirements, families can save on expenses and enhance their ability to withstand disruptions. Sabu announced the campaign during its launch at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) 2026. He clarified that home gardens are supplementary to the national food supply system, not a replacement.
Climate change, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, energy pressures, and extreme weather are all impacting agricultural productivity and raising food costs, according to the minister. The Kendiri campaign, a collaboration with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), builds upon the 1974 Green Book Campaign launched by Malaysia's second prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein.
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