SEVEN hundred metric tonnes of local white rice will be distributed throughout the peninsula from Friday as early efforts to address shortage of the staple grain, said the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (FOA).

The statutory body said it would distribute and sell local white rice directly to end users at premises under the FOA and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) in four zones.

FOA deputy director-general (development) Amir Mat Amin said the rice would be supplied to 23 Peladang Outlets, eight Farmers’ Organisation Agro Bazaars, and nine Kedai Peladang, which are all under the FOA.

He said the programme launched today was carried out in collaboration with two companies – Jasmine Food Corporation Sdn Bhd and Serba Wangi Sdn Bhd.

“The total rice distribution under the FOA until the end of this year is 300 metric tonnes, while (distribution under) Fama is 400 metric tonnes, bringing the total to 700 metric tonnes,” he told Bernama today.

He said the rice would be sold at RM26 per 10kg pack.

“We limit the purchase to only two bags, 20kg, for each consumer,” he said.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu reportedly said today the supply of local white rice was expected to stabilise in a month after various intervention measures and continuous monitoring by the government. – Bernama, September 20, 2023.