When tariff wars return and empty shelves loom, will Brunei finally confront the truth - that food security is not a slogan but a survival imperative?
By Malai Hassan Othman | April 2025
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — As new tariff wars erupt under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s resurgence, Brunei’s dependence on food imports stands exposed - once again.
Over 90% of essential food is still imported. The alarm bell isn't new. Yet the small, oil-rich Sultanate continues to delay real agricultural reform. Legislative promises remain plenty, but tangible food security? Still elusive.
At the heart of Brunei's vulnerability lies chronic inaction. Rice, the staple, is still mostly imported.
Fisheries depend on foreign catches, and vegetables arrive by containers. The math is damning.
During the 20th session of the Legislative Council this year, ministers admitted the glaring shortfall.
Despite bold claims and budgeted infrastructure, yields are still far from national targets.
The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism acknowledged that only 26 of 72 Agricultural Development Areas have been fully equipped.
This is despite years of planning and recurring budget allocations.
Millions have been spent developing Kandol and Wasan paddy fields, hybrid rice from China, and subsidized seed schemes. Yet domestic production remains a sliver of consumption - barely above 10% for rice.
Critics within the chamber questioned the pace. Some blamed outdated irrigation. Others cited youth disinterest and the failure of past efforts, like the Katok Horticulture Centre.
Meanwhile, Brunei’s agriculture and agrifood sector contributed just 0.61% to GDP in 2023.
Out of over BND 20 billion in GDP, agriculture accounted for only BND 115 million. Yes, poultry and egg production nears full sufficiency, and tropical fruits and seafood too.
But they’re the exceptions - not the rule. The rest? Left to global markets and fate.
Only 3% of Brunei's land is allocated for agriculture. Yet more land isn’t the only answer.
Precision farming, AI-driven irrigation, and aquaponics remain largely untapped in the Sultanate.
Other small nations - like Singapore - have invested heavily in vertical farming and closed-loop systems.
Brunei? Still at the pilot stages, with most innovation locked in government presentations.
Aquaculture, a potential saviour for food and jobs, remains underdeveloped.
Fisheries experts have long called for hatcheries, investment, and serious public-private models.
They’re still waiting. Programs like PaddyCo launched to boost rice yields sevenfold by 2025, are nowhere near achieving their goal. The deadline is months away. The results are underwhelming.
In last year’s “Seeds of Change,” I warned about Brunei’s rentier mindset. The dependence on oil wealth breeds comfort - not urgency.
Today, the risk is no longer theoretical. Trump’s tariffs exposed real-world consequences: price hikes, supply shocks, and a nation still ill-prepared to feed itself. Dutch disease is not just an academic term—it is Brunei’s Achilles’ heel.
So what must change?
First, agriculture must be treated as a strategic sector - on par with energy and defence. It is not just about food; it is about sovereignty.
Second, the government must empower universities and research bodies to drive innovation, from climate-resilient crops to biotech feed. Applied R&D is not a luxury - it is a necessity.
Third, smart incentives are overdue: low-interest financing, co-investments with private farms, and mechanization grants for smallholders. These need policy clarity and political will.
Fourth, revive abandoned hubs like Katok. Build agri-technology parks and connect them with logistics corridors from farm to market. Food security needs infrastructure, not just land.
Lastly, modernize aquaculture. From shrimp hatcheries to deep-sea cages, Brunei’s fisheries sector has untapped potential. ASEAN partners are ready. Are we?
Beyond policy and planning, this is also a matter of faith. Islam does not separate governance from survival.
The Qur’an speaks clearly of food security through the story of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph).
In Surah Yusuf (12:47–49), Yusuf advises Egypt to plant for seven years, store food in its husks, and prepare for seven years of hardship.
His strategy was divine foresight, not mere economics. This isn’t just historical; it’s a blueprint. It shows that Islamic governance demands preparedness, prudent storage, and agricultural self-reliance.
Food security is an amanah - a trust placed upon those in power. According to Maqasid Syariah, preserving life (hifz al-nafs) and wealth (hifz al-mal) includes ensuring access to food.
When a nation imports 90% of its staples, it fails that trust.
The Brunei Government, founded upon Melayu Islam Beraja, must uphold this principle.
This isn’t only about economics but about obedience to a higher moral and spiritual command.
One young farmer, Muhammad Khairil, 28, from Tutong, summed it up bluntly: (not his real name) “We have the land, the tools, and the heart. But policies need to match our ambition.”
His frustration echoes across farming communities eager to contribute. Meanwhile, aspiring agri-tech entrepreneurs like Siti Nurhazirah, 26, say they face hurdles (not her real name) in accessing funding and technical support.
“It’s not that youth are not interested. We just don’t see the system ready for us,” she said.
To truly change the course, Brunei must now involve the public. Youth must be brought into national food dialogues - not just as beneficiaries, but as innovators.
Cross-ministry coordination is overdue. This is no longer a discussion about agriculture. It’s about national resilience.
We cannot afford to wait until grocery shelves are empty to act.
The government must lead with consistency - not slogans.
Agriculture should no longer be a ceremonial footnote in budget speeches. It is Brunei’s unfinished revolution.
What do you think?
Have your say. Farmers, students, parents, policymakers - your voice matters. Join the conversation. Share your ideas, frustrations, and vision for Brunei's food future. (MHO/04/2025)
This article is a follow-up to the author’s previous piece “The Seeds of Change,” published in November 2024.
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