PASIR MAS, Dec 2 — The rice supply shortage caused by floods affecting the padi farming industry will be mitigated through a price reduction on imported white rice, effective immediately.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the shortage was inevitable as padi farming has been the most severely affected sector by the floods, followed by vegetable farming, livestock and fish farming.
“So, we may make up for this shortage with imported rice, which has fallen in price and is currently at a good price in the international market.
“The import price could rise to RM3,200 and RM3,300 (per tonne), it is now RM2,800,” he told reporters after a visit to and a briefing session on the flood situation at the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) in Pasir Mas here yesterday.
He assured that the price reduction would not impact farmers, as local rice production currently meets 56 per cent of market demand, with the government aiming to increase this to 61 per cent.
Mohamad pointed out that when Kelantan faced prolonged droughts during the two-time padi planting seasons previously, the rice supply in Malaysia decreased by four per cent. He said the ongoing flood would make the situation worse.
He added that agricultural losses in Kelantan currently stands at RM16 million, but the amount is expected to increase once the final assessment is made.
He said 4,800 hectares of agricultural land in Kelantan had been affected by floods this year.
“As such, my ministry, through Kada and other agencies, will gather accurate information regarding this matter to enable aid to be channelled to farmers, especially padi farmers.
“Our initial plan for padi farmers who have their own scheme is to compensate them based on rates ranging from RM1,000 to RM1,800 per hectare, depending on the age of the crops,” he said.
The media had reported Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) agreed to reduce the warehouse gate price of imported white rice in Peninsular Malaysia from RM3,000 per tonne to RM2,800 per tonne, effective yesterday.
— Bernama
