Local white rice yield to be increased by 20%

JOHOR BARU: The production of local white rice is expected to recover within a month under the Local White Rice Special Programme, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the ministry introduced the initiative as a short-term measure where padi millers and rice wholesalers have been asked to increase the supply by 20%.

The coming meeting with padi farmers and Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) tomorrow is to come up with a middle- and long-term solution for the matter, Mohamad added.

“We will discuss the method and mechanism to restore our production with a middle- and long-term approach.

“We previously introduced an initiative such as the Mini Sekinchan Large-Scale Smart Padi Project (Smart SBB), where they managed to increase padi production to 11 tonnes per hectare; this is three times more than the usual production.

“We are also planning to upgrade our padi field watering system to help increase production next year,” he told reporters after conducting a working visit to the Giant Tampoi Hypermarket here yesterday.

Mohamad added that the current supply of local white rice is sufficient, and that the price has remained at the controlled price of RM2.60 per kg since 2008, which is the lowest of any country in the region.

Asked to comment on claims regarding unscrupulous traders who were switching labels on white rice from “Super Special Local” (SST) to “Super Special Import” (SSI) to get a quick profit, Mohamad said the authorities are looking into the matter.

“We are aware of the matter and it is being handled.

“Enforcement will be conducted between my ministry and the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry.

“We will take action in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that the ministry has the power to revoke and suspend any farmer’s licence it issued if the holder fails to comply with the Control of Padi and Rice Act 1994 (Act 522).

Asked to comment on a Berita Harian report that claimed 95% of the middlemen are controlling the rice supply, Mohamad denied it, saying “it is merely an allegation”.

Mohamad was reported earlier as saying that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry had called a meeting with the stakeholders to discuss the country’s rice supply, in line with Bernas’ move to increase the price of imported white rice from RM2,350 a tonne to RM3,200.