KUALA LUMPUR, A total of 519.36 metric tonnes or 51,936 bags of local white rice (BPT) was distributed through the Special BPT Programme as a short-term initiative to overcome the issue of local white rice shortage in the market. The Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP) in a statement today said the distribution of the BPT-LPP was carried out through the association with potential state farmers organisations (PPN) and Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK). 'The distribution involved 103 Farmers' Organisations (PP) through PP outlets like Peladang Outlet, Agrobazar PP and Kedai Peladang. The move by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) was to control the issue of rice shortage in the market. Last year, 2,101 metric tonnes or (210,000 bags of BPT) worth RM5,357,550 was distributed, said the statement. Meanwhile, the LPP said 34 Agro MADANI Sale (JAM) programmes had been completed as of yesterday with total sales value of RM1,094,242, resulting in a cost-saving of RM136,741. The LPP are targe tting 78 JAM programmes by end of the year. In 2023, 114 (JAM) programmes were carried out with a sales value of RM2,150,000 and cost-savings amounting to RM470,000 and involved the participation of 954 entrepreneurs while the number of visitors reached 250,000.
