Do our part to overcome rice shortage
Two birds with one stone: As the food crisis looms, public must cooperate by reducing rice consumption, which is also good for health. This will help to fight obesity, another issue the government is also concerned with. Picture: EPA
Thursday, May 1, 2008
MALAYSIANS may have to change their eating habits due to the soaring price of food, especially rice and wheat. This is due to a serious shortage in the supply of these two essential grains.
The drop in production, bad weather and higher population growth is causing the present chronic situation. The supply of other food items may be in a similar condition, but it is rice that is of great concern to the government.
The situation is made worse because several growers have temporarily curtailed their exports to ensure there is sufficient stock for their own consumption.
The growers are also expecting prices to go up further and if they should withhold their stocks, they could sell them at a bigger profit later.
Rice is a staple food and its shortage will create havoc in those countries consuming this grain, and nearly three billion of the worlds population could be affected. Malaysians, for example, cannot imagine not having rice with their meals. If things should continue to slide, then there could be social and even political consequences in many parts of the world.
Over the past few months, there have been public protests in several countries because people there could not buy rice or the price is just too high for the lower-income group to bear. Malaysia imports some 30 per cent of its rice from its neighbours a year with the remaining produced locally. It is imported mainly from Thailand and Vietnam, with smaller quantities from other producers.
The government is naturally concerned and would like traditional sellers such as Thailand and Vietnam to continue to supply us with this commodity on a long-term basis.
It has set aside RM4 billion ($1,7 billion) to stock rice, which has become a security produce, and to invest in new padi fields to beef up production. It has a three-month stockpile and this is reviewed on a regular basis.
However, it is important too that the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry should keep a close watch on the stockpile and to verify this is the case.
Though the money is there to encourage padi cultivation, this will take some time as the land has to be made available before planting can start.
At the same time, the public must also cooperate by reducing rice consumption, which is also good for health.
While it is not possible for them to cut off rice completely, they must instead take smaller portions.
This will help to reduce obesity, another issue the government is also concerned with. But it will be tough to get people to do so since they are so used to having large quantities of rice at each meal.
But the relevant government agencies must ensure that rice is not only available but must be affordable or else the lower income group and poor will suffer.
This is a very emotional issue and people will not understand the reason for the shortage. People are likely to react strongly if this should be the case.
The Star
The drop in production, bad weather and higher population growth is causing the present chronic situation. The supply of other food items may be in a similar condition, but it is rice that is of great concern to the government.
The situation is made worse because several growers have temporarily curtailed their exports to ensure there is sufficient stock for their own consumption.
The growers are also expecting prices to go up further and if they should withhold their stocks, they could sell them at a bigger profit later.
Rice is a staple food and its shortage will create havoc in those countries consuming this grain, and nearly three billion of the worlds population could be affected. Malaysians, for example, cannot imagine not having rice with their meals. If things should continue to slide, then there could be social and even political consequences in many parts of the world.
Over the past few months, there have been public protests in several countries because people there could not buy rice or the price is just too high for the lower-income group to bear. Malaysia imports some 30 per cent of its rice from its neighbours a year with the remaining produced locally. It is imported mainly from Thailand and Vietnam, with smaller quantities from other producers.
The government is naturally concerned and would like traditional sellers such as Thailand and Vietnam to continue to supply us with this commodity on a long-term basis.
It has set aside RM4 billion ($1,7 billion) to stock rice, which has become a security produce, and to invest in new padi fields to beef up production. It has a three-month stockpile and this is reviewed on a regular basis.
However, it is important too that the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry should keep a close watch on the stockpile and to verify this is the case.
Though the money is there to encourage padi cultivation, this will take some time as the land has to be made available before planting can start.
At the same time, the public must also cooperate by reducing rice consumption, which is also good for health.
While it is not possible for them to cut off rice completely, they must instead take smaller portions.
This will help to reduce obesity, another issue the government is also concerned with. But it will be tough to get people to do so since they are so used to having large quantities of rice at each meal.
But the relevant government agencies must ensure that rice is not only available but must be affordable or else the lower income group and poor will suffer.
This is a very emotional issue and people will not understand the reason for the shortage. People are likely to react strongly if this should be the case.
The Star
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