Kota Kinabalu: The lack of local rice supply in the market is mainly attributed to its low production which is only 23 per cent of the self-sufficiency level (SSL).
Sabah Padi and Rice Regulatory Board Director Ab Alim Multazam said according to the 2022 Padi Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) data in Sabah, a total of only 30,570 metric tonnes of local rice were produced.
“For the first eight months this year, only 18,755 metric tonnes were recorded,” he said, adding all the rice was processed in 20 factories across the State.
“If divided into 12 months, the monthly production of local rice in Sabah is only 1,401 metric tonnes,” said Ab Alim.
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“In terms of percentage, it is clearly less than 10 per cent of the local rice production, and this is why local rice is difficult to find in the market,” he said.
The lack of local rice supply in Sabah is not new as it has been ongoing for a long time.
However, this was never taken into account due to the fact that most consumers preferred to buy imported rice which was cheaper compared to local rice.
The recent increase in the price of imported rice has caused the demand for local rice to increase dramatically due to its current price being cheaper compared to imported rice.
The lack of local rice supply in the market also gives rise to various negative perceptions, including claims that the supply is being concealed and that local rice is being repackaged and sold at prices of imported rice.
On the issue of no local rice price control, Ab Alim said the low production rate causes the selling price of local rice to be higher.
“Low rice production but high operating cost is one of the causes of local rice prices in Sabah being uncontrolled.
“It also aims to support the padi and rice industry in Sabah so that it continues to remain sustainable and competitive because it has to compete with imported rice.
“Our agency is responsible for monitoring the price, but we do not control it.
“If it is controlled, all the factories will not buy local rice and this will lead to another problem, especially for rice operators in this State,” he said.
Ab Alim added that the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security implemented the Large-Scale Smart Paddy (Smart SBB) programme which has been proven to increase rice yields through systematic management and the use of the latest technology in cultivating paddy fields.
“The Government has identified 50,000 hectares in Sabah and Sarawak for the purpose of planting rice through allocations from the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.
“Apart from that, the Ministry has also planned a large-scale rice paddy planting programme in Sabah in an effort to overcome the lack of local rice supply in the State.”