Thursday, June 6, 2019

RICE IN MALAYSIA - STATISTIC

Rice is a staple food for Malaysia and a defining feature of our culture. Malaysians consume the grain daily either as cooked rice or indirectly in the form of rice flour. Nasi lemak, bihun goreng, laksa, kuih apam and lepat pisang, are some of the many rice-based foods we consume. During festive occasions, we see pulut kuning at Malay weddings and red tortoise cakes during Chinese New Year. Therefore, it is not surprising that in 2016, we consumed 80kg of rice per person, which is about 26% of the total caloric intake per day, costing an average of RM44/month per household. Among the states, households in Sabah spent the most on rice at RM73/month while households in Perlis spent the least at just RM13/month. This means that in the same year, 2.7m MT of rice was consumed, whereby 67% was produced locally, and the rest imported primarily from Thailand, Vietnam and Pakistan. It is now less than a year until the end of the National Agro-Food Policy (2011- 2020). Knowing this and given the importance of rice, Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) conducted a review of the paddy and rice industry. The objectives of the report are to look into the history of the industry, meet key stakeholders, study statistical trends, identify challenges and finally, provide suggestions in charting a way forward for the industry. Production has increased over the decades. 

Historically, Malaysia has always had production-driven agricultural targets. Measures were introduced since the 1940s to help increase national rice production and protect farmers’ welfare. Indeed, over 30 years, the total production has increased, allowing the self-sufficiency level (SSL) to hover between 60 - 70%. Paddy farmers remain in the B40. In 2016, the household income of farmers in MADA was RM2,527/month, while the national mean was at RM6,958/ month. Without subsidies, the cost of production (COP) is high. The net profit from paddy cultivation in MADA in 2014 stood at RM2,892/Ha/season and this is affected by the Cost Of Production at RM3,766/Ha/season. The largest contributions to the Cost of Production are land rental and machinery, at 42% and 30% respectively, while input and labour costs contributed less. That is how rice is very important to Malaysia!. Nasi Lemak is most favorite culinary..

By,
M Anem,
Senior Agronomist,
Taman Cendana, Bukit Beruang,
Melaka,
Malaysia. 
(30 Syaaban 1440H).
Posted at 2 Shawal 1440H
Selamat Hari Raya 2019!
Maaf Zahir Batin....


No comments:

Post a Comment