FROM POLICY TO SUSTAINABLE OUTCOMES: THE ROLE OF INTEGRATED AGROFOOD HUBS IN MALAYSIA’S AGROFOOD TRANSFORMATION

Emirul Adzhar Yahya, Nur Asmadayana Hasim, Zurina Mahadi, Farah Ayuni Mohd Hatta

Abstract


Malaysia’s agrofood sector is at a crossroads, facing persistent challenges of land fragmentation, weak institutional coordination, and limited smallholder inclusion despite decades of policy reform. The National Agrofood Policy 2.0 (NAP 2.0) marks a shift toward sustainability, climate resilience, and digital transformation, yet implementation gaps continue to undermine food system resilience and environmental outcomes. This study critically examines the evolution of Malaysia’s agrofood policies and situates them within broader debates on sustainable land use and environmental governance. Drawing on policy review and comparative insights from global agrofood hubs in the Netherlands, South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore, it introduces the Integrated Agrofood Hub (IAH) as a fit-for-purpose model tailored to Malaysia’s socio-ecological context. Grounded in the Policy Integration and Value Chain Development (PIVCD) framework, the IAH consolidates production, processing, distribution, and governance within a coordinated spatial system. In doing so, it promotes sustainable land use, enhances digital adoption, and empowers smallholders while reducing systemic inefficiencies. The study’s novelty lies in linking NAP 2.0 objectives with a hub-based, PIVCD-informed framework, offering a practical blueprint for advancing environmental sustainability and resilient agrofood transformation in emerging economies.


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References


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