SAVE FOOD: Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction

In the last five decades, Malaysia has experienced a rapid structural transformation, shifting from a predominantly pre-industrial agro-based society to a thriving economy with diverse sectors and industries. The ensuing economic growth has remained consistent, enhancing living standards – with mean monthly household expenditures for Malaysians increasing from 877 USD in 2014 to USD 989 in 2016, a nominal growth rate of 6 percent per annum according to Malaysia’s Department of Statistics. Residents also enjoy the third highest GDP per capita in ASEAN Region, behind the high-income countries of Singapore and the Kingdom of Brunei.

However, Malaysia’s meteoric rise and the unique challenges it faces are symbolic of many formerly pre-industrial nations in transition. As disposable incomes surge, so do worrying levels of overconsumption and waste. Government agencies are actively monitoring the status of waste production in the country, especially as it relates to food. In 2016, the State determined that 15 000 tonnes of organic waste is produced daily, 3000 tonnes of which was estimated to be food fit for human consumption. Annually, that food waste translates to almost 1.1 million tonnes, on par, for population size, with smaller European countries. 

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Rakyat Malaysia Bazir 15,000 Tan Makanan Sehari

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 Mei (Bernama) — Rakyat Malaysia membazirkan sebanyak 15,000 tan metrik makanan sehari termasuk 3,000 tan yang masih boleh dinikmati dan tidak sepatutnya dibuang.

Timbalan Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani Nogeh Gumbek berkata pembaziran makanan semakin meningkat pada musim-musim perayaan dan dilihat sebagai satu tabiat yang seharusnya dikekang bagi memastikan amalam membazir tidak berterusan.

“Kajian Institut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI) menunjukkan 28.4 peratus daripada jumlah padi yang dihasilkan juga hilang begitu sahaja.

“Bagi buah-buahan dan sayur-sayuran pula, 20 hingga 50 peratus dibuang dan tidak sampai ke pengguna,” katanya selepas merasmikan Forum ‘MySaveFood’ di sini, hari ini.