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Of Staple Food & Beauty
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Foozi Saad (foozi)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1347 W: 0 N: 2588]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (9129) |
| Genre: Plants |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2009-08-31 |
| Categories: Flowers |
| Camera: Canon SX10 IS |
| Exposure: f/8, 1/125 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-10-17 7:09 |
| Viewed: 233 |
| Points: 36 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
In Malaysia, the state of Kedah is known as "Jelapang Padi Malaysia" or "The Rice Bowl of Malaysia". Due to modern processes of irrigation and harvesting, the rice paddies are able to be harvested twice a year.
Rice cultivation in Malaysia was closely associated with the rural population and traditional farmers. But in the last 30 years, rice was transformed to a commercial crop. The once subsistence farming is now highly regulated and subsidised.
Being a security crop, the government encourages domestic production. However, the national average yield is low at just over 3.0 tons per hectare. Local production can only cater approximately 60-65% of domestic requirements. Hence, the shortfall is supplemented by imported rice. About 40% of annual imported rice are from Thailand. In 1999, Malaysia imported on average about 600,000 metric ton of rice from various countries.
Rice is mainly grown in the 8 granaries. These are gazetted areas, where the government makes available all infrastructure needs as well as water supply. These areas constitute 57% of all planted area and produce 72% of the total national rice production. The remaining is grown in non-irrigated areas, mainly in East Malaysia.
Policies on rice in Malaysia are closely associated with poverty elevation and priorities for sectoral growth. Over the years the agriculture sector's contribution to the GDP declined, although it remains an important sector in the Malaysian economy. Since the 1970's the government invested heavily on massive infrastructure development in the 8 granaries. Fertiliser subsidy, support price and price subsidy are offered to rice farmers by the government to ensure a good yield and sufficient and consistent income for the farmers, especially the lower income group.
The 'support price' is fixed at RM550 (US$144) per ton. The farmer also collects a price subsidy of RM248.10 (US$ 65) per ton. The farmer thus receives RM798.10 (US$ 210) per ton of paddy. Payment is given after the rice is sampled for impurities.
A farmer can choose to sell its produce to either the private miller or to 'BERNAS'. BERNAS buys the paddy at a fixed rate of RM550 per ton.
'BERNAS', is the successor of Lembaga Padi Beras Negara (National Paddy and Rice Board) a government body entrusted to regulate the paddy and rice industry in Malaysia. The BERNAS Group operates through 36 mills, 49 godowns and employs more than 4,000 employees. Their rice is marketed by their seven subsidiaries namely Yew Heng Leong, Jasmine Food Corporation, Serbawangi, Era Bayam Kota, Fajar Jerlun, Dayabest and Sazarice. Amongst the established brands distributed by BERNAS Group ARE Jasmine, Saga, Sunwhite, Sakura and Jati. The BERNAS Group handles approximately 700,000 to 900,000 metric ton of rice every year representing 40 - 50% of total rice supply in Malaysia. BERNAS is not only involved in procuring, processing, importing, trading and distributing rice, it also handles public funds for subsidies of rice production. Since BERNAS is a government interest company, its rice imports are often 'tied' to country-to-country trade deals. This renders unfair rice imports that are not characteristics of free trade.
Consumers commonly buy rice at prices between RM1.60 to RM2.50 per kilo at any retail markets. The prices are commonly matched with cheaper imports. Farmers thus have no influence on the market lines or the pricing of rice in Malaysia. The farm gate price is fixed and the government closely regulates retail prices.
Also, a survey of 33 farmers from 3 different villages in the Seberang Perak in the state of Perak showed that there is a trend towards a larger difference between Gross and Net Income among rice farmers. This results in a decline in effective profits from rice farming for the average farmer. The average gap between the gross and net income among farmers in the study area became more significant in 1995 - 2000 period.
The majority of rice farmers are heavily dependent on support prices, input subsidy, and government intervention in marketing and helpful rates of deductions. Farmers are not yet seriously concerned with the implications of AFTA, where they would no longer be heavily protected. The government may 'protect' the industry even after 2003, although efforts are being made to liberalize the industry. Recent generous rice imports from neighboring countries caused the domestic stockpile to exceed set levels, leading to protest from local producers. This indicates the volatility of the domestic rice market, both in terms of dependency and in managing stock levels.
Conclusion
The government of Malaysia is very protective of the rice industry. It bears a major proportion of the cost of production, by spending a substantial amount of money on subsidies. This may appear to be beneficial to farmers in assuring a sizeable profit margin, consistent income and assurance of farm gate price. But since the production of rice is not competitive due to high production costs and low yield, the sustainability of such a structure with the advent of AFTA is questionable. However consumer prices (wholesale and retail prices) are also maintained low through price control measures, therefore there are no complaints on pricing from the consumers.
http://www.consumersinternational.org/ |
horias, xTauruSx, bahadir, marianas, boreocypriensis, parasbhalla, nasokoun, cirano, maurydv, ferranjlloret, Alex99, pablominto, lousat, Noisette, pierrefonds, Pitoncle has marked this note useful
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hello Foozi
great composition
the beautiful flower next the rice
great colours and good sharpness
greeting lou
- horias
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 402 W: 59 N: 874]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(4120) - [2009-10-17 7:16]
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Foozi
Like another time, your capture is wonderful and the note is great!
Congratulation, MF!
Horia
Hello Foozi, a colourful and beautiful image of these wild flowers. DOF is very atractive.
TFS and regards,
Deniz
Hello Foozi, splendid shot of these beautiful flowers.
Details and colours are great.
TFS and regards, Bahadır
Foozi
Great capture today, like another day too!
You and Umar are the best botanist on TN!
And this is a opportunity to learn about plants!
For that I thanks you very much1
Congratulation!
Mariana
Ciao Foozi. Excellente sharp and stunninf details here. Amazing diagononal by upper line of the plant.
Very well done.
Roberto
Hi MF Foozi,
Beautiful capture of a these beautiful flower with riced BG from nice POV with fine composition.
TFS and have a nice night MF!
Cheers,
Bayram
Hi Foozi,
Not your best shot, as it is hard to find out about your main subject here, but anyway, the colors are nice and the until I didn't read your informative note I could not understand.
Good sharpness and from a nice POV, you have taken this shot.
Well done!
best regards,
Paras
hello Foozi
simple and beautiful scene,with very good output in colours and fine composition!
TFS thanks for sharing
Nasos
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- cirano
(4956)
- [2009-10-17 14:15]
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Slav Foozî,
Very nice composition from fine POV and perfect sharpness.Very beautiful flower.TFS.
Regards,
Dûrzan
Hello Foozi,
a very beautiful picture, marvellous colours and very good sharpness, well composed.
TFS
best regards
Maurizio
Hello Foozi,
Nice capture, a very interesting document of ypur country.
TFS. Salutacions cordials.
Ferran.
Hello Foozi,
The rice and flowers make up an attractive combination!
The close-up has fine technical qualities as the colours are well reproduced, sharp fine details in the vegetation...
A fine extensive note as well!
Greetings,
Pablo -
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- Alex99
(18641)
- [2009-10-18 0:32]
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Hi Foozi.
Very nice composition created by rice and flowers. Diagonal structure of the shot is very pleasant for eyes as well as perfect details and sharpness of all frame. My kind wishes and TFS.
Alexei.
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- lousat
(19763)
- [2009-10-18 1:51]
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Hi Foozi,rice and purple,another new and very good idea to create a nice composition,warm colors and perfect point of view,vry interesting note too about the rize cultivation in your country,have a nice day and thanks for this work,Luciano
Hello Foozi
great diagonal compostion, with rice of one side and this pretty little flower on the other side, the vivid pink color of this beauties stand out very nicely in the green surroundings, a delightful Shot
Have a good night
Jacqueline
Hi Foozi,
The point of view is hsowing an area of the rice field. The flowers in the foreground are framing well the field. The intensity of the light is giving a good contrast to the colors. Have a nice day.
Pierre
Bonjour Foozi,
Superbe composition avec cette formidable diagonale naturelle opposant deux textures et deux coloris ; c'est bien vu et surtout bien restitué.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 35 N: 1296]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(10389)