Latest news with #NationalSeedCouncil
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
National Seed Council to regulate seed industry and prevent monopoly
PASIR SALAK: The National Seed Council is in its final evaluation stages and will be launched soon to regulate the seed industry and prevent monopolisation. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu emphasised the council's role in ensuring orderly seed management across all plant and livestock sectors. Mohamad stated, 'Let the management of seeds be done in an orderly manner, and we will have a national seed board to regulate all types of plant or livestock seeds in Malaysia.' He made these remarks during a press conference at the FELCRA Plantation Services Sdn Bhd Padi Seed Centre in Seberang Perak. The council will also establish a seed repository system to store local agricultural and livestock seeds. 'The padi seed centre will serve as a repository for all types of seeds available in the country, and in the event of any issues, we can use the repository to produce seeds for the future,' he added. In June, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) designated the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) as the lead agency for the National Seed Hub. An advisory council with various experts will also be formed to support the initiative. Currently, Malaysia heavily depends on imported seeds, including 90% of vegetable and watermelon seeds worth RM2.7 million. The new council aims to reduce reliance on foreign seed sources and strengthen local seed production. - Bernama
New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia to launch National Seed Council to boost agricultural resilience
PASIR SALAK: Malaysia is set to launch a National Seed Council in a strategic move to strengthen the country's agricultural resilience and reduce its dependence on foreign seed sources. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the council is currently in its final stages of evaluation and is expected to be launched soon. "At the ministry level, we have established the National Seed Council, which will be launched soon. It is currently in the final review stage before its official launch," he said. He spoke to reporters after launching the new Clearfield rice varieties CL3 and CL4 at the Felcra Seberang Perak here, today. Also present were ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Mardi board chairman Dr Azman Ismail and state Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun. Highlighting the importance of seed sovereignty, Mohamad said there was a need to prevent the monopolisation of seeds by powerful corporations or foreign nations. "Seeds are a critical component of food production. We do not want them to be monopolised by certain companies or countries. "Let seed management be conducted in an orderly manner. With the establishment of the National Seed Board, we will be able to regulate all types of seeds, whether for plants or livestock within Malaysia," he said. When asked whether all research will be conducted at the centre, Mohamad said it will serve primarily as a strategic seed repository. "The paddy seed center will act as a repository for all the seed varieties we have in the country. If anything happens, we will have a reserve to reproduce those seeds in the future," he said. On a separate matter, Mohamad said the allocation of additional rice supply quotas to millers would be based on the capacity of the respective mills. He said that if millers are capable of processing a higher volume of paddy, the ministry would make efforts to assist in increasing their rice supply quotas. "The quota depends on capacity. If we see that a Bumiputera-owned mill has the capability, we will try to assist. "If it lacks any capacity at all, then it's quite difficult. We can't rely solely on quotas, both quota and capacity must be considered. That's what matters most, and the government is always ready to help," he said. He was commenting on a statement made by Zolkafly on Wednesday, in which the latter had said the state government would be applying to the ministry to increase the quota, especially for Bumiputera millers. Zolkafly had said the move was crucial to ensure that both large and small millers can collaborate in revitalising the rice industry and maintaining a stable and sufficient rice supply.
New Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt forms advisory board to tackle overdependence on imported seeds
KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of the National Seed Council (MBN) Advisory Board, comprising various experts, was among the key decisions made at the MBN meeting chaired by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu today. In a Facebook post, Mohamad said other important decisions included appointing the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) as the lead agency for the National Seed Hub; developing pure lines of local broiler and layer chickens; and commercialising the 'Ayam Saga' breed. The meeting also discussed the Mafriwal 2.0 dairy cattle breed recovery programme, as well as freshwater prawn seed production under the Nucleus Breeding Centre (NBC) and the Shrimp Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMC). "Malaysia still depends heavily on imported seeds, including 90 per cent of vegetable seeds and RM2.7 million worth of watermelon seeds. This is a major challenge we must address together for the future of national food security. "This seed security agenda is not only crucial for the agri-food industry, but also forms the backbone of national sovereignty and security. We need to produce high-quality, resilient local seeds that can meet the needs of our people," he said. He added that the implementation of the National Seed Security Agenda could help Malaysia achieve self-sufficiency in the local seed sector. "This isn't just about agriculture; it's about sovereignty and the future of the nation," he said.
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
National Seed Council forms advisory board for seed self-sufficiency
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Seed Council (MBN) has formed an advisory board to strengthen Malaysia's seed self-sufficiency, addressing the country's heavy reliance on imported seeds. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced the decision following a council meeting today. The advisory board will include experts to guide seed development initiatives. Key resolutions from the meeting include appointing the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) as the lead agency for the National Seed Hub. Efforts will focus on developing pure-line local poultry breeds, commercialising the Ayam Saga chicken, and revitalising the Mafriwal 2.0 dairy cattle programme. Mohamad highlighted Malaysia's dependence on imported seeds, with 90% of vegetable seeds and RM2.7 million worth of watermelon seeds sourced from abroad. 'This is a major challenge for national food security,' he said in a Facebook post. 'Seed security is not just about agriculture—it's about sovereignty and our nation's future.' The council also discussed freshwater prawn seed production under the Nucleus Breeding Centre and Shrimp Broodstock Multiplication Centre. Mohamad stressed the need for resilient, high-quality local seeds to reduce import reliance. 'The National Seed Security Agenda is crucial for long-term food stability,' he added.
Barnama
24-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
National Seed Council Forms Advisory Board, Pushes For Seed Self-Sufficiency
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- The establishment of the National Seed Council (MBN) Advisory Board, comprising various experts, was among the key decisions made at the MBN meeting chaired by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu today. In a Facebook post, Mohamad said other important decisions from the meeting included mandating the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) as the lead agency for the National Seed Hub; efforts to develop pure lines of local broiler and layer chickens and the commercialisation of the 'Ayam Saga' breed. The meeting also discussed the Mafriwal 2.0 dairy cattle breed recovery programme and freshwater prawn seed production under the Nucleus Breeding Centre (NBC) and Shrimp Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMC).
