High Cost Of Expanding 'Rice Bowls' May Lead To Rice Imports

CHANGLUN, May 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia may continue to import rice if the cost of expanding the 'Rice Bowl' areas in the country is higher than the cost of importing the commodity.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said currently, the country was importing 30 per cent of the rice needs and the government was studying from the various aspects whether imports would be continued or otherwise.

"We are studying whether to produce 100 per cent of our rice consumption or to continue importing 30 per cent of the national consumption," he told reporters after closing the Kedah Regional Development Authority (KEDA) Meeting the Clients Day programme at Napoh, here Sunday.

At the moment, he said, emphasis would be given to efforts at upgrading the areas under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) to produce better quality padi.

"Under the 10th Malaysia Plan, the ministry is allocating RM140 million to upgrade the areas under MADA. It includes giving compensation to residents because the rivers and canals in the MADA area are located on their land," he said.

Meanwhile, Johari, who is also the member of parliament for Kubang Pasu, said KEDA would build a 'Rest and Service Area' (RSA) at Keda Napoh to enable visitors to the area to rest as there was no rest area there currently.

The project, costing about RM5 million, would be implemented in June and expected to be ready next year, he added.