Mechanism to increase self-sufficiency in rice production

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The government may introduce a new mechanism to increase the level of self-sufficiency in rice production in the coming Budget, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture & Agro-based Industries, Chua Tee Yong.


The plan is one of the most emphasized in the wish list of the ministry in the planning of the budget, and hopefully it would be in the Budget plan to be unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on October 7.

"This plan is a long-term and a development plan, thus, it is up to the Prime Minister to decide," he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Tunku Abdul Rahman College and Financial Planning Association of Malaysia, here today.


Declining to give details of the plan, Chua however said that if the plan is implemented, it could increase the yield of rice production by some four or five per cent from the current 3.7 per cent.

"This is to avoid the shortage of rice which we faced in 2008, given that it is the staple food of our people," he said.

On the MoU, Chua who is also the council member of TAR College, said through the signing, the college has been been appointed as one of FPAM's approved education providers to provide Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Certification Programme to its students.


"The cooperation between FPAM and TAR College will fit in to play a role in preparing, training and developing high calibre human capital for employment in the financial services industry in Malaysia."