Kuala lumpur: The country's physical rice stocks are stable and sufficient to meet the people's needs for at least six months, with 1.237 million tonnes in reserves providing a buffer against possible impacts from geopolitical tensions in West Asia, the Dewan Negara was told today. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin disclosed that the reserves include 200,000 tonnes of the national rice buffer stock and 1.037 million tonnes of commercial stocks.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the physical rice buffer stock is managed by Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) and paired with commercial stocks to ensure a minimum six-month supply in the face of a potential global supply crisis. This statement was made in response to a question from Senator Datuk Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli concerning the country's readiness to maintain essential food supplies amid international geopolitical disturbances.
Chan further elaborated on the government's efforts to stabilize local rice prices through subsidies, which serve as a price buffer against global market fluctuations. He highlighted the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security's (KPKM) goal of achieving an 80 per cent self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) for rice by 2030. This involves expanding the use of new drought-resistant padi varieties to counter declining production trends and threats from the El Nino phenomenon.
To address these challenges, Chan mentioned the expansion of drought-resistant padi varieties such as MR 380, MR 381, and MR 382. Additionally, the implementation of farm water management practices like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) are being pursued. The KPKM is also advancing a five-season rice cultivation project over two years in Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) areas and upgrading agriculture irrigation systems.
Chan noted that the ministry is taking several short-term measures to alleviate the rising costs of agricultural inputs. These measures include a temporary exemption from the Sales and Service Tax for agricultural fertilizers such as rock phosphate and magnesium sulphate, effective from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027. Furthermore, the incentive for padi farmers' ploughing for the 2026 planting season has been increased from RM160 to RM300 per hectare, with an additional allocation of approximately RM40 million set to benefit nearly 200,000 farmers.