The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) anticipates that the shortage of local white rice in the market will stabilize within a month. This is due to various intervention measures and continuous monitoring by the government. MAFS Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that the ministry has engaged with the rice industry players in the country, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. They have agreed to implement the Local White Rice Special Programme (PKBPT) on a nationwide scale.
Through the PKBPT, manufacturers will increase the production of local white rice supply for the domestic market by 20% for a duration of one year. In cases of supply shortage, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Farmers’ Organisations Authority (LPP) will intervene to ensure sufficient supply. This intervention method has been successful in resolving previous shortages in chicken and egg supplies.
Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu made these statements during the launch of the Pokok Sena Farmers’ Association (PKK) Farmers’ Outlet (PO), which aims to distribute local white rice to target groups, especially in areas without access to supermarkets. The Farmers’ Outlet will sell 2,000 rice packets weighing 10 kg each, priced at RM26 per packet.
Additionally, the Director-General of LPP, Datuk Azulita Salim, revealed that LPP has implemented a total of 62 programs at its branches nationwide from April to August 2023. These programs have generated sales worth RM742,361.50 and attracted 45,850 visitors. LPP aims to achieve a sales value of RM1.59 million and receive 53,000 visitors by December this year through the Agro Madani Sales initiative.
LPP plans to involve 40 selected Farmers’ Outlets that will target 300 metric tonnes of local white rice at a controlled price to stabilize the supply throughout the nation. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
