IPOH: The government will review a proposal by the Paddy and Rice Regulatory Division to increase the ceiling price of local white rice (BPT) to protect the future of all parties in the food production chain, especially rice farmers.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that the recommendation would be discussed by his ministry together with the Finance Ministry and Economy Ministry.
"It will be discussed with the Finance Ministry and Economy Ministry because the last time the BPT ceiling price was reviewed was in 2008.
"So some quarters said that we need to review the price and at the same time, we should also consider the fate of rice farmers, wholesalers, manufacturers and consumers which to avoid giving them extra burden," he said.
Mohamad said this in a press conference after attending Madani Agro Sales in conjunction with 2023 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day (HPPNK) at Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah here, today.
He was commenting on a report quoting Padi and Rice Regulatory Division which found that the ceiling price of BPT should be increased to RM3.20 per kilogram compared to the current RM2.60 per kilogram to protect the future of all parties involved in the food production chain, especially rice farmers.
The increase in the price of the BPT ceiling is important to prevent the occurrence of local rice piles as manufacturers are no longer interested in continuing to purchase rice due to low prices.
The situation, thus contributing to the damage of rice can occur when manufacturers focus on selling imported white rice (BPI) because it is more profitable.
Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's Padi and Rice Regulatory Division director-general Datuk Azman Mahmood said the ceiling price of BPT at RM2.60 had not been revised for the past 15 years even though the minimum wage had been raised twice during that period.
Asked when the discussion would be held, Mohamad said that his ministry always conducts a meeting and for this issue, it was important to find a win-win situation for all quarters.