KUCHING: Food security is not merely an agricultural concern but a national development priority closely connected to household well-being, economic resilience and community stability.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said global developments had highlighted how vulnerable food supply chains can be to external disruptions, rising production costs and climate-related challenges.
“We must therefore continue strengthening domestic food production while building more resilient and sustainable food systems.
“In Sarawak, we are blessed with considerable potential – our land resources, agricultural diversity, rich biodiversity and the knowledge of our local communities. Our responsibility is to ensure that these strengths translate into productive opportunities and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said this in his speech at the RISE 2026: Rising Impact Through Sustainable Empowerment programme.
Fadillah said community-led food security initiatives were particularly valuable as they cultivated not only crops but also knowledge, cooperation, self-reliance and a greater sense of ownership.
“When communities learn to produce, manage and sustain their own food resources, they are not only improving their immediate well-being.
“They are building resilience against future uncertainties,” he said.
TAGS: food, security, Fadillah Yusof, national