Summary
- Malaysia’s rice self-sufficiency rate fell from 68% in 2018 to 54.3% in 2025.
- The Agriculture Ministry proposed gazetting paddy granaries to protect farmland.
- Malaysia imported 1.416 million tonnes of rice worth RM2.953 billion in 2025.
PUTRAJAYA, October 4 — Malaysia’s Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has proposed that state governments gazette paddy granaries as the country seeks to protect farmland and strengthen rice security.
The ministry said Malaysia’s rice self-sufficiency rate declined from 68% in 2018 to 54.3% in 2025 amid shrinking paddy cultivation areas. Rice imports reached an estimated 1.416 million tonnes.
Worth RM2.953 billion last year. The proposal was discussed during a meeting chaired by Agriculture Minister Mohamad Sabu with state agriculture executive councillors.
Authorities also discussed immediately gazetting 24 state agri-food areas for permanent food production, livestock and aquaculture.
