KUALA LANGAT: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is making efforts to increase local white rice production.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the floods in Kelantan and Terengganu at the end of last year destroyed up to 20,000ha of padi.
He said this was a major factor in the current rice shortage.
"We are working with industry players, rice growers and so on.
"Our officials are holding discussions and finding ways to increase the rice yield.
"We are trying many ways, even though more than 20,000ha have been lost and many youth don't want to continue the rice fields cultivated by their parents."
He said this at a press conference after visiting the Ehsan Tani satellite farm project in Kampung Sungai Kelambu, Banting, here, today.
Mohamad said the rice planting programme that could produce five harvests in two years could solve the local white rice shortage.
"We are trying to redevelop padi fields in various ways, through the government, private sector or individuals.
"The (rice planting) programme will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim soon, between January or February, in Kedah."