LETTERS: Malaysia continues to depend on food imports, which amounted to a RM55.5 billion outflow last year.
We import our food supplies from Australia, China and Europe.
Food is just one example. Almost everything that we consume comes from China, Taiwan, Korea, Bangladesh, Germany, and many more places. We are an import-dependent country.
Along the farm-to-fork value chain, technology is a major aspect. This is not only the case with food but also with infrastructure development, the service sector, urbanisation and human capital.
However, technological progress must not contribute to any environmental issues. It must be sustainable, and importantly, it must address the rights and needs of the people.
This underpins all socio-economic aspects and the livelihood of the people.
Technology should help us leave our grandchildren a better world.
Any technology used to make a product must not have a negative effect on the environment or ecology.
Contamination of our air, water and environment must be moderated by sustainable technology. We have to find ways to use biodegradable materials, replace non-renewable resources with renewable ones, and use energy and resources efficiently.
It must be an innovative blend of technology aligned with sustainability goals.
In technology, solutions that we want to produce that are intended to solve existing problems must not lead to other environmental or social consequences.
Lastly, proper testing before deploying technology is an integral part of the public rollout.
Companies must test new technologies in the early stages of development to mitigate any consequences that may arise.
This also helps to offset additional costs that may occur if the technology shows errors in later rollout stages.
DR MD FAUZI MD ISMAIL
Registrar, Malaysia Board of Technologists
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times