MELAKA, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- The government remains committed to stepping up local seed and breed production through modern biotechnology to reduce dependency on seed imports by 30 per cent by 2040.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), in a statement today, said the approach is crucial to strengthening the national seed industry through research, expertise development, and the production of quality planting materials that support the sustainability of the agro-food sector.
According to the statement, the Strategic Direction for the Modern Biotechnology Approach to Enhancing National Agro-Food Self-Sufficiency Rates was approved at the National Seed Council (MBN) Meeting No. 2/2026.
The meeting was chaired by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu at the Bukit Katil State Constituency Development and Coordination Committee (JAPERUN) Complex here yesterday.
“The application of biotechnology in the country's agricultural industry is essential to accelerate the development of high-quality seeds and breeds, increase productivity, and strengthen the resilience of crops and livestock against climate change and diseases,” the statement read.
The meeting, involving representatives from ministries, government agencies, academic experts, and private-sector seed and breed industry experts, also approved a proposal to empower the National Dairy Goat Breeding Ecosystem and set a direction for strengthening the Saanen dairy goat breed industry on the East Coast.
“This initiative is a continuation of the Malaysia Anglo-Nubian Park project in Perak approved earlier this year. It has the potential to achieve high productivity through high-quality dairy breeds and strategic cooperation between the government and the private sector.
“In addition, the meeting approved proposals to empower and strengthen the Aquaculture Industry Development Plan (PPIA) for the Nucleus Breeding Centre (NBC) and Broodstock Multiplication Centre (BMC) by appointing companies as Project Delivery Partners,” it said.
Meanwhile, a visit to a banana tissue culture farm in Ayer Molek, Melaka, was also undertaken to observe firsthand the application of biotechnology and innovation, particularly tissue culture technology, in producing quality planting materials.
-- BERNAMA