PUTRAJAYA, June 14 — A study on the potential of cultured meat production as an alternative food source will be conducted by the Higher Education Ministry via universities, in collaboration with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said this was agreed upon in the Cabinet committee meeting on the National Food Security Policy chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.
“The meeting focused on strengthening national food security through high-impact initiatives such as the Chuping Dairy Farm Project in collaboration with FGV, Touch Group, and Baladna … (and) proposals for the direction and development of the local onion industry via financial support for infrastructure development and support throughout the onion production chain,” he said in a statement today.
Yesterday, in a Facebook post, Anwar said the government will develop the plant industry ecosystem, widen technology adoption, and explore the potential of future foods such as cultured meat and cell-based foods, for which comprehensive studies must be done to ensure food quality and safety.
Mohamad said the committee also discussed future planting methods through the development of plant factories as an effort to support the growth of technology-based, high-value industries.
In line with the aim to develop Malaysia Madani, he said integrated and holistic efforts are essential to support the implementation of food security initiatives.
“All parties are responsible for strengthening the country’s food security in line with the Madani concept of ‘Food Security is a Shared Responsibility’,” he said.
— Bernama
