Kuala Lumpur:State governments have been encouraged to gazette padi-growing areas to support rice cultivation and improve food security after the rice self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) fell last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the proposal was discussed at the second 2026 Agriculture and Food Security Ministers' Meeting, chaired by Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. The decline in rice cultivation areas has led to a drop in the rice SSR from 68 per cent in 2018 to 54.3 per cent in 2025. The Auditor-General's Report also recommended gazetting padi-growing areas to preserve farmland for rice cultivation.

Malaysia's dependence on imported rice was approximately 1.416 million metric tonnes, valued at RM2.953 billion in 2025. The meeting, attended by agriculture executive councillors from nine states and various ministry representatives, also addressed the zoning of food-producing areas according to the National Land Use Master Plan.

Immediate measures include gazetting 24 state agro-food areas under the Permanent Food Production Parks, Permanent Ruminant Production Parks, and Aquaculture Industry Zones. The implementation of the Livestock Farm Regularisation Scheme and Food Area Protection Mechanism in Sabah and Sarawak was also discussed.

These initiatives aim to increase the SSR for strategic commodities, boost domestic production, and enhance food resilience and security. A proposal for state governments to join Malaysia Fest in Singapore was considered. This event has promoted Malaysian agro-food products since 2006, showing significant growth in attendance and sales.

The meeting also reviewed the status of the National Agro-Food Empowerment Programme under the 13th Malaysia Plan, with 347 projects worth RM349.15 million approved out of 782 applications received this year. The effectiveness of the Land Optimisation Programme was also assessed, involving 97 projects and significant funding and participation.

Additionally, the drafting of the Fertiliser Bill was acknowledged to establish a better regulatory framework for the fertiliser industry, focusing on quality, distribution, and price stability while protecting farmers' interests.