ISSN: 2222-6990
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Sustainable food security has emerged as a critical issue in Malaysia, where maize agriculture continues to be vulnerable given constraints in local production and dependence on imported provisions. The present qualitative study aims to investigate the contribution of agricultural cooperatives in developing maize agriculture, transforming it into what is referred to as the circular economy that would serve food security and sustainability. Informed by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and Circular Economy Theory, this study has discussed how cooperative involvement stimulates the adoption of the circular economy and enhances agricultural strength in the long run. Primary data has been collected through semi-structured interviews, which were conducted among five respondents of Malaysian maize farmers from Kedah state. Thematic analysis of the study shows that cooperatives are transformative, by promoting knowledge sharing, resources and finance in the society. Farmers practiced circular economy, such as composting of maize residues, application of organic fertilizers and utilization for rearing animal feed. These measures led to a decrease in production costs, soil fertility enhancement and increasing yield sustainability. The study finds a robust mediating relationship that circular economy adoption connects cooperative participation to the sustainable food security impact. In this way, the cooperatives perform as social and economic brokers that instantiate sustainability through collective learning and innovation. Findings highlight the relevance of policy schemes that can contribute to enhancing maize production capability and incentive mechanisms for promoting circular economy education and green finance. Therefore, the study shows that cooperatives hold a potential role in transforming Malaysia’s maize agriculture toward regenerative, inclusive and sustainable food supply as seen by the Malaysian national Agrofood Policy 2.0 and Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.
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