In a recent announcement, the Govt said it would address food security by getting directly involved in both the production as well as the pricing of some essential food items. Government agencies and GLCs will be enlisted to grow grain corn and to control the chicken breeding industry ecosystem -- from supplying chicks, chicken feed, transportation, and marketing. But can these ambitious targets be realised through direct government intervention? Melisa Idris and Sharaad Kuttan speak to Professor Dr Shaufique Fahmi Sidique, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Director, Institute of Plantation Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia.