The government must strengthen the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) as the key intermediary between producers and consumers to stabilise food prices amid a surge in vegetable costs, said a consumer group yesterday.
Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief operating officer Nur Asyikin Aminuddin said the sharp increase in vegetable prices was not just a weather-related issue but reflected Malaysia’s continued lack of preparedness for a food security crisis.
She said weather-driven price hikes highlighted a fragile supply chain with no mitigation plan for extreme weather events, which were occurring more frequently and could no longer be regarded as unusual.
“Although weather conditions are the main short-term factor, this situation actually exposes a much bigger problem: Malaysia is not prepared for a food security crisis.
“This is not a new issue as every time there is extreme weather, geopolitical tension, a pandemic, or logistics disruption, the price of fresh food surges sharply, burdening the people, especially those in the lower-income groups,” she told the New Straits Times.
Nur Asyikin said an estimated 20 to 40 per cent of Malaysia’s agricultural output was lost due to weaknesses in post-harvest handling.
“When supply is damaged and quantity drops, prices rise.
“If the government is serious about addressing rising food prices, investment in post-harvest systems must be a priority.
“Fama should be strengthened as an intermediary,” she said.
Nur Asyikin said food security should be a national agenda, and that rising vegetable prices were not only a cost-of-living issue, but it also affected public health and household well-being.
“As climate change, global conflicts and pandemics increasingly disrupt global food supply chains, Malaysia must invest in post-harvest systems, modern food logistics and strengthen Fama as the intermediary between producers and consumers to stabilise fresh food prices,” she said.