Market visit: Mohamad (centre) visiting the stalls at the 2023 Mega Agro Madani Sales Carnival at Dataran Sejarah near Ayer Keroh. — Bernama
MELAKA: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will meet with padi farmers and Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) to discuss the country’s rice supply, says Mohamad Sabu.
This follows Bernas’ move to increase the price of imported white rice from RM2,350 a tonne to RM3,200, the Agriculture and Food Security Minister said.
“This Thursday, (the ministry will hold a meeting) with Bernas, high-ranking officials from the National Padi and Rice Board, then with padi farmers to discuss the next steps (to ensure sufficient local rice in the market).
“It is like before when we faced chicken and egg supply problems.
“When everyone works together, we can overcome it. We hope for the same for rice,” he said at the 2023 Mega Agro Madani Sales Carnival in Ayer Keroh here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Mohamad said his ministry had also held a dialogue session with rice millers in Kedah earlier to inform them about the country’s current policy regarding the supply of the staple food item.
“They will follow the government’s policies and strict action will be taken if they try to hide or change the label (from local rice to imported rice),” he added.
He said the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) will work with industry players to ensure that rice is sent to areas that are experiencing a shortage of supply.
On the Agro Madani Sales, Mohamad said a total of 5,000 sessions targeting RM39mil in sales will be organised this year. As at Aug 27, 1,559 sessions had been carried out nationwide with a total sales of RM32.7mil and savings of RM9.81mil.
The programme, participated by a total of 25,073 entrepreneurs, has attracted 779,000 visitors so far, he said in a statement.
Mohamad said the range of goods at these sales events has been expanded to include fresh products and controlled items with prices that are 10% to 30% lower than the market price for selected commodities.
“Agro Madani sales will continue to be strengthened as an ongoing effort to help ease the burden of the people while increasing the income of agricultural entrepreneurs,” he added.
