KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Kurup has informed the Dewan Rakyat that Sabah's current self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for rice stands at approximately 22.8 per cent, Sabah Media reported.
To address this, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has outlined several initiatives aimed at enhancing rice productivity in the state.
These include the raising of the Rice Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) from RM360 to RM500 nationwide beginning Aug 9, 2023, and increasing the padi floor price in Sabah and Sarawak from RM900 to RM1,300 per metric tonne effective Feb 15, 2024.
Arthur highlighted the implementation of the SMART SBB Ala Sekinchan Programme in Kampung Kesapang Tengah, Kota Belud, covering an area of 27.81 hectares involving fifteen participants.
This pilot project, expected to commence in July 2024, will utilise elements of mechanisation and automation.
Furthermore, the ministry encourages the use of certified rice seed varieties to improve yields by introducing high-quality, disease-resistant seeds from Peninsular Malaysia with high yield potential.
This move has been approved by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Ministry of Sabah, in response to a question raised by Beaufort Member of Parliament Datuk Siti Aminah Aching.
Additionally, the Federal government also agreed to provide a subsidy of RM950 per metric tonne for the wholesale price of imported white rice starting Oct 5, 2023, to balance the supply and price of rice in Sabah, including Sarawak and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
"This method will set the maximum retail price of imported white rice in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan at RM31 for a 10 kg bag.
"This measure is taken considering the limited local white rice production in Sabah, ensuring residents can enjoy imported white rice at reasonable prices," Arthur said.
