Malaysia reviews tropical fruit and vegetable self-sufficiency ratio

Two years on, Malaysia is still measuring its progress towards stronger food security after recording a vegetable self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) of just 45.4% in 2023. While tropical vegetables performed far better at 83.1%, the figures underscored the country’s reliance on imports for much of its supply, according to local media.

Some crops exceeded domestic demand, with tomatoes (123.7%), cucumbers (112.1%), spinach (112%), salad greens (114%), long beans (107.2%), brinjal (112.3%), and lady’s finger (102.2%) all surpassing 100% SSR. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) noted that these results reflect the potential of targeted programmes to strengthen local output.

Under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, RM57.7 million (USD12.3 million) has been channelled into initiatives such as the Vegetable Crop Development Programme and the Selected Vegetables SSR Enhancement Programme. Between 2023 and 2024, these efforts involved nearly 2,000 farmers, expanded more than 1,700 hectares, and produced over 109,000 metric tonnes of vegetables. Support has come in the form of farm inputs, infrastructure, mechanisation, and post-harvest facilities.

source: codeblue.galencentre.org

photo: rasamalaysia.com