CHILI PRODUCTION CENTRE

City University Malaysia

Project idea

FOOD SECURITY MALAYSIA
Malaysia remains vulnerable to future food shortages due to its reliance on imports to maintain food supplies, especially rice. It is estimated that households spend nearly 70% of their budgets on food purchases, so a systemic approach is needed to ensure that the population’s food needs are met. Disruptions in the import supply chain from neighboring countries such as Thailand and Indonesia could lead to future food price spikes. About a quarter of Malaysia’s food supply comes from imports. Nearly two-thirds of common foods such as chili, common in most Malaysian dishes, are imported from Thailand.

Project description

A lingering issue with Malaysia’s approach to food security is its underdeveloped agricultural capacity. The focus remains disproportionately on industrial yield crops, while other food production lags significantly. A major reason is that the potential of small farms and urban agriculture has not been fully tapped to increase Malaysia’s ability to withstand any systemic shocks. There is also a need to build resilience and increase self-sufficiency. Once again, addressing the entire crisis from all sides is easier said than done. We need to reduce food waste. This needs to happen simultaneously on the supply side, logistics and consumers. Agricultural employment needs to be carefully addressed by bringing in urban youth. We need to use the existing space within our settlements—from rooftops to sidewalks. Create edible landscapes, not just beautiful ones. We need to increase biodiversity, change the types of food we consume, and return to our local traditions. Many, if not most, of these problems can be solved with integrated sustainably designed farms.

Technical information

The technology provided by the CHILI is not only applicable to chili but also to most vegetables available on the market. It mainly uses an Automated Fertigation System to help crops grow and provides a pesticide-free way to maintain vegetables. Regarding pest issues, CHILII has studied the habits and patterns of natural predators and created a natural ecosystem that can protect crops. This not only solves the pest problem in chili cultivation but also reduces the harm of pesticides to human health. It solves the problem of Food Security of Availability and Stability and provides people with a more optimized method to grow crops. CHILI is a place that satisfies people's hopes as well as their appetites. It is a resource center for anyone willing to donate their time, skills, and even money. The center was established to achieve some important results and goals, such as giving them better skills and techniques and adopting healthier methods. Providing them with strength, opportunities, hope for the coming year, and the potential to start a new chapter in their lives.