Food security a national development priority - Fadillah

KUCHING: Food security is a critical national development priority, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He emphasized that food security is not just about agriculture, but also about household well-being, economic resilience, and community stability. Fadillah noted that recent global events have underscored how susceptible food supply chains can be to external disruptions, increasing production costs, and climate-related challenges.

Therefore, it's essential to strengthen domestic food production while simultaneously developing more resilient and sustainable food systems.

In Sarawak, Fadillah highlighted the country's vast potential, including its abundant land resources, diverse agricultural output, rich biodiversity, and the invaluable knowledge of local communities. He stressed that it's our responsibility to harness these strengths to create productive opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.

Fadillah, who serves as the energy transition and water transformation minister, made these remarks during his speech at the RISE 2026: Rising Impact Through Sustainable Empowerment programme. He emphasized that community-led food security initiatives are particularly valuable. These initiatives not only cultivate crops but also foster knowledge, cooperation, self-reliance, and a sense of ownership among community members.

Fadillah explained that when communities learn to produce, manage, and sustain their own food resources, they are not only enhancing their immediate well-being but also building resilience against future uncertainties.