JOHOR BARU: Johor has received an additional 80 tonnes of local white rice to overcome the supply problem in the state.
The supply is being handled by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) and the Johor Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP), said state agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip.
The Buloh Kasap assemblyman added that the supply will be delivered in stages until the end of this week.
“We are facing some challenges regarding the supply of rice in Johor. We are putting together a programme to help the people.
“As a measure, a total of 80 tonnes of local white rice will be supplied throughout the state through four collection centres in Johor Baru, Simpang Renggam, Batu Pahat and Tangkak.
“From there, the supplies will be distributed throughout Johor; for example, the collection centre in Tangkak will distribute to Muar and Segamat, while Johor Baru will distribute to the southern part,” he added.
Zahari said this after launching the state-level Madani farmers economy improvement course at the Johor LPP here yesterday.
He added that the state government is planning various other efforts to ensure that the local rice supply problem does not last, especially in this state.
There are 900 rice farmers in the state in 10 locations covering 2,254ha of padi fields, said Zahari.
He said the districts are Tangkak with an area of 842.97ha, Muar (364.2ha), Mersing (549.3ha), Batu Pahat (141.7ha) and Kluang (356.12ha).
“For the harvest season between 2021 and 2022, Johor produced 6,225 metric tonnes of rice, an increase of 30.1% compared to the previous year’s harvest season.
“The state government remains focused on carrying out various initiatives to increase production,” he added.
In an unrelated matter, Zahari said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi will be tabling the state budget in November at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar.
He added that there will be many special announcements made by Onn Hafiz that will cater to everyone, including the Orang Asli community.
