KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Kurup has knowledgeable the Dewan Rakyat that Sabah’s present self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for rice stands at roughly 22.8 per cent, Sabah Media reported.
To handle this, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has outlined a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing rice productiveness within the state.
These embody the elevating of the Rice Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) from RM360 to RM500 nationwide starting Aug 9, 2023, and growing the padi ground value in Sabah and Sarawak from RM900 to RM1,300 per metric tonne efficient Feb 15, 2024.
Arthur highlighted the implementation of the SMART SBB Ala Sekinchan Programme in Kampung Kesapang Tengah, Kota Belud, protecting an space of 27.81 hectares involving fifteen members.
This pilot undertaking, anticipated to start in July 2024, will utilise parts of mechanisation and automation.
Furthermore, the ministry encourages the usage of licensed rice seed varieties to improve yields by introducing high-quality, disease-resistant seeds from Peninsular Malaysia with excessive yield potential.
This transfer has been authorised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry of Sabah, in response to a query raised by Beaufort Member of Parliament Datuk Siti Aminah Aching.
Additionally, the Federal authorities additionally agreed to present a subsidy of RM950 per metric tonne for the wholesale value of imported white rice beginning Oct 5, 2023, to stability the availability and value of rice in Sabah, together with Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
“This technique will set the utmost retail value of imported white rice in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan at RM31 for a ten kg bag.
“This measure is taken contemplating the restricted native white rice production in Sabah, guaranteeing residents can get pleasure from imported white rice at affordable costs,” Arthur stated.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
