JOHOR BAHRU, September 6 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) expects the supply of local white rice (BPT) to recover within a month following the government’s intervention measures. The Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, stated that the intervention measures through the Special BPT Program would increase the rice production quota by more than 20% in the nationwide market. Through this Special BPT Program, the supply of local white rice can be restored within a month.
At the same time, continuous monitoring will be carried out through integrated collaboration with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN) through Operation Jamin. “I also request consumers not to worry or panic and avoid excessive purchases of local white rice,” he said during a press conference after inspecting food security stocks at a supermarket in Tampoi on Tuesday. Also present was the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Lokman Hakim Ali.
On September 2nd, national rice millers and wholesalers were reported to have been asked to increase the supply of BPT by 20% through the Special Local White Rice Program, as an intervention measure to restore supply to the market. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security stated in a statement that this intention was agreed upon by rice millers and wholesalers during a management engagement session on August 27th in Alor Setar, Kedah. Meanwhile, Mohamad, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kota Raja, said he would hold another engagement session with rice industry manufacturers and holders on Thursday.
“The ministry will hold a special media session after the session to explain the short-term and long-term methods and mechanisms to address the issue of BPT,” he said. In the meantime, he is also confident that the SMART SBB Mini Sekinchan MADA-BERNAS rice cultivation project will further increase the country’s rice production. “If we look at the results of SMART SBB Mini Sekinchan, the production of BPT has already increased to more than three tonnes to 14 tonnes compared to only 11 tonnes per season.
“Next year, the ministry will increase the allocation for paddy rice to ensure that the rice paddy irrigation infrastructure is sufficient to increase BPT production productivity, as well as to add another rice production season to five seasons within two years,” he said.
