Malaysia to continue to import rice.

Malaysia will continue to depend on rice imports as the country’s production of the grain is nearly 30% short from the three million metric tonnes (MT) self sufficiency level (SSL). Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Minister said the industry is expected to narrow the SSL gap from 72% presently to 80%, but the country will remain dependent on other countries for its rice supplies. The industry has to cope with the rising population and demands, ageing farmers, pest attacks and harvesting process inefficiencies.