GEORGE TOWN: Padi farmers are awaiting a fairer increase in the floor price of padi, as many struggle to break even under the current government-set rates.”
Naka Farmers Association unit chief Abdul Kadir Ismail from Kedah said the current floor price of RM1,300 per tonne is unfair to farmers, and that RM1,800 per tonne would be a fairer rate.
“At the moment, we are just covering costs. It’s challenging to break even, given the rising costs of fertilisers, labour and diesel,” he said.
“If the floor price remains at the current rate, it will be difficult for us to sustain our livelihoods,” said Abdul Kadir, 69.
However, a padi farmer in Penang felt giving more incentives to the farmers would be better than raising the floor price.
Kampung Pelet Farmers Association chairman Mohd Fauzi Hussin, 47, predicts that raising the floor price of padi will lead to price manipulation, resulting in higher prices for end consumers.
“Providing additional incentives will help stabilise rice prices and reduce the costs of fertilisers, equipment, pesticides, and other necessities for padi planting.
“Once the floor price goes up, seed prices will also rise. Other inputs, such as pesticides, will also become more expensive,” he said.
On Jan 27, padi farmers from Kedah, Perlis, Penang, Pahang, and Selangor gathered at the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry headquarters to seek a raise in the floor price of padi and reconsideration of the Quality Crop Seed Bill.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said a new floor price for the grains would be announced, and the minister concerned would present a Cabinet paper on the price adjustment.
Farmers’ Organisation Authority chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar expressed confidence that the government would find the best solution. He said the rise in rice prices was inevitable if the floor price of padi went up.
“The key issue is that adjusting the floor price must be done in the best interest of farmers. I don’t see this causing problems for the people, as even the Opposition has no room to object since they, too, support the move,” he said.
He said the government always prioritises the welfare of padi farmers and does not make decisions that would significantly burden the public.
He, however, felt the suggestion of raising the floor price of padi to RM1,800 per tonne was unreasonable. He said farmers should focus on improving yields instead of chasing higher prices.
“If productivity is increased, their incomes will naturally rise,” he said.
