Rice, corn and wheat are among the carbohydrate crops that empower nearly 60 percent of the world's population. What's more, rice is regarded as a staple food or foodstuff to 46 percent or nearly half of the world's population besides being the main food to about 90 percent of the Asian population.
This shows the importance of rice to the welfare of the people and their dependence on it. On average, in a country where its main food is rice, everybody consumes about 400 grams (g) of rice to generate 2,100 calories of energy. Almost all Asian countries produce rice as a source of food for their population. However different soil and weather conditions affect rice production and in general the inability to cater for domestic requirements.
At present, the main producers of rice in the world are China followed by India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Thailand. China produces over 142.3 million tons followed by India with 110.4 million tons while Indonesia produces 46.6 million tons.
In general, the country's paddy and rice industry has grown rapidly. Malaysia country's paddy production has seen an increase from 1.9 million tons in 1990 to 3.5 million tons in 2016. While paddy production continues to rise, in general, the land and areas for paddy production have not been increased. This is largely contributed to the advancement of innovation and technology.
Given that Malaysia's paddy production is lower than market demand, Malaysia is considered to be a nett importer country. The trading of rice reveals 80 percent of Malaysia's total rice imports (estimated at 700 to 900 thousand tons) is dominated by white rice. Meanwhile, the remaining 20 per cent involves the importation of special rice such as fragrant rice, basmati, glutinous rice besides others. The level of rice imports has also increased annually with a yearly growth rate of 4.4 per cent.
Although Malaysia imports a large portion to cater to market demand, it is still able to export rice to other countries. A comparative advantage analysis reveals that Malaysia has the benefit of a positive export benchmark against some countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore based on the types of rice analysed.
Currently, Malaysia imports about one ton of rice annually worth about RM1.4 billion. Rice import trends show an increase of three to five percent per annum and if the rate is not contained, it could affect the country's food sovereignty.
The global rice trade scenario shows that Malaysia has the potential to participate as a rice commodity exporting country.
Malaysia has the advantage of producing quality rice that consumers need in the East Asian, West Asian and Sub-Saharan regions. Therefore, Padiberas Nasional Bhd (BERNAS) is working closely with farmers, producers, wholesalers and regulators to ensure the Nation’s food security.
Besides looking after the welfare and livelihood of farmers, it also ensures the stability and access to rice supply for consumers through comprehensive and effective management.
BERNAS Chief Executive Officer, Ismail Mohamed Yusof shared that BERNAS was established in 1996 and tasked to handle the procurement, paddy processing and importation, warehousing, distribution and distribution of rice in Malaysia.
He said for decades, its team garnered the support of the local rice and paddy industry as it ensured and took care of the best interests of the local rice farmer community and its stakeholders.
"Under this mechanism, BERNAS continues to ensure that the welfare of farmers is taken care of while also ensuring that the supply and availability of rice to consumers remains at a stable and affordable price.
"In addition to safeguarding food security, BERNAS also maintains the quality of local rice harvested through grading processes and the importation of rice through quality surveyors.
"For over two decades, BERNAS has been committed and responsible in maintaining food security, particularly in looking after the welfare of the farmers through ensuring full production of local rice and consumer access to stable and affordable rice prices," he said this after having a BERNAS media briefing in Shah Alam, Selangor, recently.
Ismail said he would work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (MOA) and all industry stakeholders to discuss how they are able to provide better services to the industry.
The industry network is a holistic one involving three key policies - farmers' welfare, food safety and the needs and interests of consumers. The paddy and rice industry are designed to balance the objectives of these three policies. Hence, it is basically to ensure the country's food security level is at its best".
According to him, the implementation of a holistic system will help sustain the sustainability of the paddy and rice industry, thereby not neglecting the welfare of the farmers.
He shared that BERNAS’s contract will expire in 2021 and until that period, BERNAS will continue to implement its role as a steady regulator in the industry.