DIFFICULTIES in sourcing for local rice in the market give the impression as if farmers are not harvesting the padi fields at all despite statistics indicating that local rice production consistently remained at 60% compared to imported rice at 40%.
MCA Alor Setar division chairman Tan Chee Hiong said The cdfgh
“The government, through the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, needs to address this issue promptly by establishing effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms or fully engaging in managing rice-related matters, especially at the production level,” he said in a statement on Friday (March 15).
According to Tan, manipulations allegedly occur usually at this early stage when irresponsible parties mix local and imported rice, and then sell them at the price of imported rice to make a profit.
“The government needs to act swiftly and no longer delay. We do not want people to perceive the government as being unserious in addressing important issues involving the staple food of the public,” he remarked.
Commenting on the proposal by National Action Council on Cost of Living (Naccol) Food Cluster Task Force chairman Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal on Thursday (March 14) to raise the floor price of rice procurement and provide additional subsidies to farmers in the upcoming Naccol meeting on March 20, Tan said the proposal is “worth considering” thoroughly to ensure that the goal of assisting farmers is achieved.
Syed Abu Hussin said implementing these proposals could lead to lower rice prices for consumers, potentially reducing the cost to RM30 for 10 kilogrammes (kg), down from the current RM40, Bernama reported.
On this matter, Tan said: “It is crucial that every policy proposed or implemented take into account the views and involvement of various parties, including farmers and industry players,” he added. – March 15, 2024
Main pic credit: The Star
