Strengthening the laws regulating urban farming initiatives for food security in Malaysia
Abstract
Pandemic, war, global warming and land scarcity are among the factors which caused food insecurity. Towards this end, many initiatives have been designed to solve this problem including urban farming. Although urban farming is not a new concept in Malaysia, there are several issues that raise concerns such as the creation of public nuisance to the surrounding community, namely chemical exposure from pesticides and infectious diseases due to improper waste management. Another issue is the limited access to available land which resulted in illegal urban farming. Under the National Land Code 1965, agricultural activity can only be permitted for land categorised as agricultural land. Hence, farming activity in the urban areas has gone against the category of land use. Breach of the condition attached to the category of land use may subject the land to be forfeited. The laws governing urban farming in Malaysia are scattered. Therefore, these laws need to be strengthened to better control and regulate the activity of urban farming. This article employed a qualitative research methodology by examining the available laws and policy as well as analysing the legal issues and challenges in regulating urban farming. Qualitative methodology was selected for this article as it envisages the most suitable way to obtain proper data as it concerns aspects of reality that cannot be quantified. Amendment to the laws is suggested at the end of the article. This may ensure Sustainable Development Goals 6 on food security and sustainable agriculture is achieved.
Keywords: Food security, law, land, nuisance, urban farming
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