�AGROBiz � �AR��-A�R�� . 2024

BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO

The Director of ITAFoS , Prof Dr Anjas Asmara Samsudin explains the role and initiatives of ITAFoS , the challenges faced by Malaysia ’ s agriculture sector and the opportunities it presents .

“ ITAFoS seeks to expand its reach and influence in addressing not only Malaysia ’ s but also the region ’ s agricultural challenges ,” he said .

MISSION TO ADDRESS NATIONAL AGENDA

The Institute of Tropical Agriculture was established in 2007 and expanded to include Food Security in its mandate in 2016 . The main reason for forming ITAFoS was to address the national agenda . Its mission was to enhance sustainable tropical agriculture production and food security through effective , innovative , and high-impact research .

The four objectives that helped it maintain that were :

• To enhance the multidisciplinary research activities and its related focus area by using cutting-edge technology

• To carry out research based on problem-solving for income generation and wealth issue

• To be a national and internationally recognised research centre of excellence in new tropical agriculture food security

• To offer postgraduate programmes for the advancement of human capital .

KEY INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS NATIONAL AGENDA

ITAFoS has established four specialised laboratories focusing on critical aspects of sustainable agriculture and food security to achieve its goals .

Each laboratory is tasked with developing innovative solutions to specific challenges . They are :

• Laboratory of sustainable animal production and biodiversity This lab aims to improve and increase livestock productivity by providing a new animal protein alternative . Dr Anjas said : “ About two years ago , we had issues of poultry shortage due to the Russo- Ukrainian War . Russia is the largest urea fertiliser producer in the world .

“ So , when it stopped distribution to countries that produced grain and soybean , it created a domino effect . These countries then had to use other types of fertilisers , which eventually increased their costs .

“ Think of it this way : in poultry diet , the main diet is soybean and grain , so what happens when the price increases ? The supply chain is affected . In Malaysia alone , about 60 per cent of our local poultry is produced by contract farmers , who were highly affected by the great shortage .”

“ The five big players in Malaysia have their own hatchery and feed millers to purchase their grain from countries less affected by the shortage .”

• Laboratory of climate-smart food crop production

This laboratory is trying to develop a paddy variety that can tolerate sea water

ITAFoS is pioneering solutions in an ever-changing global landscape

Professor Dr Anjas Asmara Samsudin

and salinity , which would help combat the worsening climate change .

“ With the current climate change , we must be on the lookout for rising sea water levels . If the sea water gushes to the mainland and into the paddy fields , the salinity of the seawater will damage the paddy crops because the roots cannot withstand the water ’ s high salinity .”

“ That is why we are looking forward to the variety that can withstand salinity ,” Dr Anjas added .

• Laboratory of food safety and integrity

This laboratory focuses on food contamination and research on the end product of agriculture products , figuring out ways to get other produce from rice .

• Laboratory of agriculture and food consistency

This laboratory aims to focus more on the end user of agricultural products - to study the policy and find out whether the current policy is still suitable for the current situation or whether they have to collaborate with different government agencies to develop a new policy on culture and possibility .

MALAYSIA ’ S FOOD SECURITY LANDSCAPE

Dr Anjas , who has a background in

veterinary practice and a focus on livestock , discussed the challenges faced by Malaysia ’ s food security , including recent shortages in broiler meat and white rice supply . He highlighted that global warming-induced climate shifts exacerbated the impact of recent events .

“ According to research published by the International Rice Research Institute based in Los Baños , Philippines , data states that an increase of one degree during nighttime ( the optimum temperature of paddy production is between 24 and 34 degrees ) will affect about 10 per cent of production .

“ The national average of paddy production ignition is about 4.2 per cent , so an increase of one degree affects 10 per cent of two tonnes per hectare .

“ Sadly , livestock is also affected by this . When the poultry environment is high in temperature , it causes heat stress , eventually leading to their death and a decrease in local poultry production ,” he explained .

OPPORTUNITIES FOR AGRICULTURAL ADVANCEMENTS

Despite challenges , Dr Anjas knows Malaysia possesses abundant natural resources like ample land . He believed that leveraging Malaysia ’ s abundant land resources and adopting technologies like hydroponics and vertical farming it can optimise agricultural productivity .

Additionally , advancements in AI and sensor technologies offer promising avenues for precision farming , optimising resource utilisation , and reducing environmental impacts .

He explained that with sensors , they could feed the livestock accordingly without any wastage and tend to fertilisers when their nutrients are lacking .

SUCCESS STORIES AND PROSPECTS

ITAFoS has achieved notable success with initiatives like developing Padi Putra varieties ( PadiU Putra 1 , PadiU Putra 2 ), postbiotic supplements for poultry , and rapid detection kits for mycotoxin contamination .

“ These paddies are resistant towards fungus infection and at the same time produce high yield per hectare .”

“ Plus , normally , if the paddy during the early stage has been planted more than 14 days , it will die . However , the variety they are developing can withstand more than 14 days . So , the survival rate of the crop will increase ,” Dr Anjas added .

Moreover , their ongoing research focuses on alternative protein sources like black soldier fly larvae ( BSFL ) to reduce soybean dependence .

MITIGATION PLANS AND TARGETS

Dr Anjas envisioned a future where Malaysia would achieve self-sufficiency in grain corn production and reduce its food import bill through strategic initiatives and collaborations . ITAFoS is also actively promoting local grain corn production and exploring alternative protein sources .

He underscored the importance of involving significant industry players , such as Sime Darby and FELDA , to ensure the success of these initiatives .

“ According to Dasar Agromakanan Negara 2.0 , our country aims to achieve about 80 per cent of paddy SSL ( self-sufficiency level ) by 2030 . I believe ITAFoS ’ research endeavours will contribute significantly to this goal ,” Dr Anjas concluded .

As ITAFoS play a vital role in shaping the landscape of tropical agriculture and food security in Malaysia , their multidisciplinary approach , innovative research initiatives , and collaborations with regional counterparts position them as key contributors to the nation ’ s agricultural advancement and resilience in the face of global challenges . – @ AGROBiz