Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is committed to listening to and taking into account the views of all stakeholders in efforts to formulate new directions and policies for the country's paddy and rice industry that are more sustainable, fair and resilient. In this regard, the inaugural National Padi and Rice Industry Consultative Committee Meeting (JKPIPB) Number 1 of 2026 was held yesterday and was chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, KPKM in a statement today announced that among the main matters discussed in the meeting were the impact of increasing operating costs on the industry, management and control of Certified Padi Seeds (BPS), strengthening infrastructure, mechanisation and irrigation systems, rice milling, grading and labelling, as well as proposed government interventions. The meeting brought together 41 stakeholders representing various industry chains including farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, padi seed producers, KPKM's top management and related agencies.
"This approach is in line with the ministry's principle that any new policy involving the country's padi and rice industry must be formulated based on the actual reality on the ground by taking into account the views of those directly involved in the entire industry chain. KPKM realises that the country's padi and rice industry is facing various increasingly complex challenges. Therefore, the solutions formulated cannot be made alone or based on a one-size-fits-all approach, but rather need to go through an open, comprehensive and continuous engagement process," according to the statement.
The statement informed that all views and suggestions raised will be thoroughly examined and detailed by the Special Technical Committee before suitable suggestions are considered at the policy level. "KPKM will continue various engagement sessions with stakeholders to ensure that every reform formulated takes into account the interests of the entire industry ecosystem, from farmers and seed producers to manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and consumers," according to the statement. KPKM believes that good policies need to be built through a process of listening, evaluating and finding a balance between the interests of all parties to develop the country's paddy and rice industry to be more efficient, transparent, sustainable and resilient.