FMT:
Govt to review local white rice supply strategy as subsidies end
The agriculture and food security ministry says consumption of local white rice under the programme reached 75.8% of the original target of 24 million bags
The subsidised local white rice programme, involving the distribution of 24 million 10kg bags priced at RM26 each in Peninsular Malaysia, ends tomorrow.
PETALING JAYA: The agriculture and food security ministry will carry out a comprehensive review to determine the most effective strategy for sustaining local white rice supply following the conclusion of the subsidised local white rice programme tomorrow.
The ministry expressed its commitment to keeping the nation’s staple food affordable, accessible, reliable, and sufficient.
It said that the six-month subsidised local white rice programme was part of the government’s efforts to better target subsidies and served as a transitional measure in the country’s white rice supply system.
“Based on the ministry’s survey of demand trends since its launch, consumption of local white rice reached around 18.2 million bags (75.8%) against the original target of 24 million bags.
“This trend indicates that consumers tend to prioritise reasonably priced rice, rather than exclusively opting for local white rice,” it said in a statement.
The ministry said it will take into consideration the impact of the programme, along with the price adjustment of imported white rice at RM2,600 per tonne at the Bernas warehouse, effective May 15, in its evaluation of the strategy.
It said the strategy will include mechanisms to address rice-mixing practices.
“We assure the public that rice supply will continue to be closely monitored to ensure Malaysians have consistent access to sufficient and affordable rice,” it said.
Launched on March 1, the subsidised local white rice programme involved distributing 24 million 10kg bags, each priced at RM26, across markets in Peninsular Malaysia.
Under the programme, each bag was tagged and monitored through a two-layer control system involving the Malaysian Agri-Food Regulatory and Enforcement Agency and 1,200 enforcement officers, with AI-powered tracking to ensure compliance.
The initiative was designed to benefit 400,000 low-income families.
The ministry expressed its commitment to keeping the nation’s staple food affordable, accessible, reliable, and sufficient.
It said that the six-month subsidised local white rice programme was part of the government’s efforts to better target subsidies and served as a transitional measure in the country’s white rice supply system.
“Based on the ministry’s survey of demand trends since its launch, consumption of local white rice reached around 18.2 million bags (75.8%) against the original target of 24 million bags.
“This trend indicates that consumers tend to prioritise reasonably priced rice, rather than exclusively opting for local white rice,” it said in a statement.
The ministry said it will take into consideration the impact of the programme, along with the price adjustment of imported white rice at RM2,600 per tonne at the Bernas warehouse, effective May 15, in its evaluation of the strategy.
It said the strategy will include mechanisms to address rice-mixing practices.
“We assure the public that rice supply will continue to be closely monitored to ensure Malaysians have consistent access to sufficient and affordable rice,” it said.
Launched on March 1, the subsidised local white rice programme involved distributing 24 million 10kg bags, each priced at RM26, across markets in Peninsular Malaysia.
Under the programme, each bag was tagged and monitored through a two-layer control system involving the Malaysian Agri-Food Regulatory and Enforcement Agency and 1,200 enforcement officers, with AI-powered tracking to ensure compliance.
The initiative was designed to benefit 400,000 low-income families.
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