Citation
Tan S. H., . (1986) Whither the case for food security in Malaysia? In: Seminar on Food Security and Policy Issues in Malaysia, 28-29 Jul 1986, Serdang Selangor (Malaysia).
Abstract
Macro food security issues in Malaysia had for a long time been associated with the pursuit of self-sufficiency in rice. From production goals alone the policy had evolved to include redistributive ones. This paper examined various issues relating to food security in Malaysia. It began with reviewing the nations of food security and what they implied in operational terms. This was followed by a discussion of the status of rice production and consumption and the importation of rice against the background of foreign exchange availability. Various measures to ensure food security at the national level were analysed with regard to transfers made to/by producers consumers and the government. It was argued that for a middle income country like Malaysia food security was not the same as self-sufficiency. With rising incomes the imports of high value or income-elastic foods could be expected to increase. Rather than pursuing self-sufficiency goals at any costs intensified efforts should instead be made to increase food availability to vulnerable groups and to reduce nutritional deficiency. To the extent that food exports were subsidized by the developed countries the removal of trade restrictions would enable poor consumers to capture some of these transfers.
Download File
Full text available from:
|
Abstract
Macro food security issues in Malaysia had for a long time been associated with the pursuit of self-sufficiency in rice. From production goals alone the policy had evolved to include redistributive ones. This paper examined various issues relating to food security in Malaysia. It began with reviewing the nations of food security and what they implied in operational terms. This was followed by a discussion of the status of rice production and consumption and the importation of rice against the background of foreign exchange availability. Various measures to ensure food security at the national level were analysed with regard to transfers made to/by producers consumers and the government. It was argued that for a middle income country like Malaysia food security was not the same as self-sufficiency. With rising incomes the imports of high value or income-elastic foods could be expected to increase. Rather than pursuing self-sufficiency goals at any costs intensified efforts should instead be made to increase food availability to vulnerable groups and to reduce nutritional deficiency. To the extent that food exports were subsidized by the developed countries the removal of trade restrictions would enable poor consumers to capture some of these transfers.
Additional Metadata
| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor. HD9016 M32S471 1986 Call Number |
| AGROVOC Term: | Rice |
| AGROVOC Term: | Food production |
| AGROVOC Term: | Food consumption |
| AGROVOC Term: | Agricultural economics |
| AGROVOC Term: | Agricultural policies |
| AGROVOC Term: | International trade |
| AGROVOC Term: | Foreign trade |
| AGROVOC Term: | Supply balance |
| AGROVOC Term: | Malaysia |
| Geographical Term: | MALAYSIA |
| Depositing User: | Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK |
| Last Modified: | 24 Apr 2025 00:52 |
| URI: | http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/7686 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
