Ensure food security for M'sians
Praba GanesanPublished: Oct 15, 2008 9:31 AM | Updated: Oct 15, 2008 9:35 AM
In conjunction with World Foodless Day, both Tenaganita and PKR Wanita wing have demanded self-sufficiency policies to ensure real food security for Malaysians.
In conjunction with World Foodless Day, both Tenaganita and PKR Wanita wing have demanded self-sufficiency policies to ensure real food security for Malaysians.
"I am all for subsidies and tariffs that will ensure our country is capable of serving its own food needs," said Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez.
Fernandez argued that the country’s greed to make quick money by focussing on cash crops like palm oil and jatropa has reduced the land for food production, especially for indigenous people.
It is unsurprising, she said, that the nation’s food import is more than US$20 billion per year, with a deficit of US$8 billion.
“There is a global food crisis and Malaysia is not immune from it,” she emphasised.
She explained that the various WTO trade negotiation series of Doha, Cancun and Hong Kong have not yielded the right solution for many countries, especially when wealthier countries like the US practiced subsidies and protectionist policies.
When asked if a return to subsidies and tariffs will lead us back to days of reduced competition and anti-globalisation, Fernandez clarified that the measures should be for basic foods like rice and vegetables. She conceded that price might be affected, but the key component was the security we will gain.
Pakatan's farmers
Zuraida Kamaruddin - PKR Wanita chief - said that her wing will be initiating agricultural programmes in the five Pakatan Rakyat states.
“I am told that the Selangor government has allocated 20,000 acres of land in Sabak Bernam for young farmers, using modern methods,” said the MP for Ampang.
“The BN government are belatedly trying to respond to this issue, as can be seen by their campaign to get people to plant vegetables around their homes.
“For too long the present government has relied on imports to deal with the food needs of this country, and this is flawed thinking,” added Zuraida.
Also present was Pernilla Malmer, senior programme officer of the Swedish International Biodiversity Programme. She explained that farming is on the rise again in Europe as people have realised that they have to meet their own needs before they trade food.
“Organic farming is becoming more widespread over in Europe,” added Malmer.
The press conference was also held to mark the International Rural Women’s Day on Oct 16. The continuing concerns about dislocation, land grabs and sexual abuse of women were highlighted as key concerns for indigenous communities, plus the troubling trend of tribal women being trafficked through Malaysia by flesh traders.
"I am all for subsidies and tariffs that will ensure our country is capable of serving its own food needs," said Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez.
Fernandez argued that the country’s greed to make quick money by focussing on cash crops like palm oil and jatropa has reduced the land for food production, especially for indigenous people. It is unsurprising, she said, that the nation’s food import is more than US$20 billion per year, with a deficit of US$8 billion.
“There is a global food crisis and Malaysia is not immune from it,” she emphasised.
She explained that the various WTO trade negotiation series of Doha, Cancun and Hong Kong have not yielded the right solution for many countries, especially when wealthier countries like the US practiced subsidies and protectionist policies.
When asked if a return to subsidies and tariffs will lead us back to days of reduced competition and anti-globalisation, Fernandez clarified that the measures should be for basic foods like rice and vegetables. She conceded that price might be affected, but the key component was the security we will gain.
Pakatan's farmers
Zuraida Kamaruddin - PKR Wanita chief - said that her wing will be initiating agricultural programmes in the five Pakatan Rakyat states.
“I am told that the Selangor government has allocated 20,000 acres of land in Sabak Bernam for young farmers, using modern methods,” said the MP for Ampang.
“The BN government are belatedly trying to respond to this issue, as can be seen by their campaign to get people to plant vegetables around their homes.
“For too long the present government has relied on imports to deal with the food needs of this country, and this is flawed thinking,” added Zuraida.
Also present was Pernilla Malmer, senior programme officer of the Swedish International Biodiversity Programme. She explained that farming is on the rise again in Europe as people have realised that they have to meet their own needs before they trade food.“Organic farming is becoming more widespread over in Europe,” added Malmer.
The press conference was also held to mark the International Rural Women’s Day on Oct 16. The continuing concerns about dislocation, land grabs and sexual abuse of women were highlighted as key concerns for indigenous communities, plus the troubling trend of tribal women being trafficked through Malaysia by flesh traders.
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