PETALING JAYA: A padi farmers' association has vehemently objected to reducing the price of padi to RM1,300 per metric tonne from the current price of RM1,500 to RM1,800.
"This the pricing set by rice mill operators in a recent meeting with the padi and rice director-general is unfair and fails to represent the actual costs of rice production accurately, which has increased," said “Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia” (Pesawah).
"The minimum price of RM1,300 set in 2023 is from a bygone era and is irrelevant today," said the association chairman Abdul Rashid Yob in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 8).
He said the cost of padi seedlings, among others, has increased twice since 2023. Fertilising and harvesting costs have also increased since the withdrawal of the diesel subsidy, leading to high machinery operation costs.
"There has been a significant rise in land rental, as well as in the costs of chemicals and insecticides for padi plantation operations.
"We regret that discussions were held on the ceiling price of padi by the government and mill operators without involving the association's representatives.
"Pesawah demands that the government revise the minimum ceiling price for padi and consider other factors such as the drastic increase in rice padi production cost, the income and welfare of farmers and a realistic price of local rice.
The association stated that if the government insists on keeping the RM1,300 per metric tonne price, the ministry should lower the cost of padi seedlings to RM45 per bag, including other expenses.
"Any future discussions should include Pesawah representatives," added Abdul Rashid.
