IN the face of growing global uncertainties, food security remains one of the most pressing concerns of our time. Traditionally, the definition of food security focused on four pillars: availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability.
However, in recent years, experts have introduced a fifth pillar, ‘agency,’ which emphasises people’s right to decide what to grow and what to eat. This shift acknowledges that food security is not just about supply and distribution but also about empowering communities to have control over their food choices.
Despite this recognition, not everyone has the privilege of owning land to grow food, especially staple crops like rice. In Sabah, indigenous communities have long relied on rice cultivation to sustain their families and reduce dependence on external sources.
Passed down through generations, traditional rice seeds symbolise resilience, as many farmers continue to reject modern hybrid varieties in favour of time-tested heirloom crops. Food security is not just about having enough to eat; it is about access to nutritious, safe, and affordable food.
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