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THE Government is intensifying its food security agenda through expanded agricultural initiatives aimed at supporting lower-income groups, stabilising supply chains and reducing reliance on imports amid rising global energy and fertiliser costs.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the country must strengthen agricultural resilience as external pressures continue to drive up production costs across the sector.
“So how do we ensure that our farmers remain profitable? That is why, in terms of inputs for agriculture, when we examine them closely, there are indeed inputs that contribute to the actual cost of production.
“One example is the use of fuel itself, diesel, and the second is fertiliser. That is why fertiliser is among the earliest matters we discussed in the National Economic Action Council to ensure the continuity of supply,” he said.
He made the remarks during a visit to the IPR-INTAN agricultural project in Putrajaya, which forms part of the People’s Income Initiative programme designed to generate supplementary income for B40, poor and extreme poor households, while strengthening domestic food supply.
According to the ministry, the programme has so far benefited more than 2,300 participants nationwide, helping many move out of poverty while acquiring skills across the agricultural value chain, including planting, harvesting and marketing.
In Putrajaya, the IPR-INTAN site spans 10 acres of fertigation-based chilli cultivation and has produced more than 200 tonnes of output valued at approximately RM1.5 million. T
The project, now in its fifth cycle, has benefited 20 participants, who earn an average monthly income of around RM3,000.
The initiative is implemented on land owned by Perbadanan Putrajaya and managed by the Farmers’ Organisation Board in collaboration with the Kuala Langat Area Farmers’ Organisation, with corporate participation from Nestlé Malaysia, which acts as a major off-taker for the produce.
Nestlé Malaysia also supports sustainable farming practices, including improvements to soil health and reductions in water and chemical usage.
Akmal said today that the programme has become increasingly important as global energy instability continues to drive up fertiliser and production costs, placing pressure on both farmers and household food prices.
Strengthening domestic production and expanding home-based agriculture are seen as key strategies to reduce import dependence and stabilise living costs.
For 2026, the Ministry of Economy has approved 20 new IPR-INTAN projects nationwide, expected to benefit an additional 600 participants from vulnerable income groups. This includes an expansion of the Putrajaya project, which will double participation from 20 to 40 farmers.
The ministry also said it will deepen collaboration with agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, local authorities, and private sector partners such as Nestlé Malaysia to strengthen the entire food ecosystem, from production to distribution and marketing.
It stressed that the approach goes beyond agricultural output alone, aiming instead to build a complete value chain that ensures long-term sustainability for farmers, fishermen and consumers alike, while reinforcing Malaysia’s broader food security strategy. - April 17, 2026
