PETALING JAYA: Padi farmers express dissatisfaction over the increase in the padi floor price to only RM1,500, arguing that merely 20% of the subsidies would benefit them as padi price incentives.
Malaysia Padi Farmers Brotherhood Association (PeSawah) chairman Abdul Rashid Yob who represents the padi farmer associations, said this in response to the Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu's announcement that the minimum price for padi which millers will buy from farmers has been adjusted to RM1,500 per tonne on Thursday (Feb 13).
"We thank the Minister for the increase in padi floor price but are also disappointed that the amount is insufficient to cover the rising costs, particularly due to the removal of diesel subsidies and the increase in seed prices in 2024.
"Our demand for a floor price of RM1,800 per tonne is reasonable and justified in ensuring the country's rice production continues.
"We urge the Minister to reconsider our request and take more concrete steps to support rice farmers. We propose an additional RM300 incentive on top of the announced RM1,500 floor price and a reduction in the controlled price of certified rice seeds from RM58 to RM35, reverting to the price before the increase in March 2024.
"This is based on the fact that the current seed price hike was justified by the purchase price of rice offered by mills at RM1,700, which has now decreased.
"PeSawah hopes that the government will understand our concerns and provide the necessary support, as we believe that rice farmers are the backbone of the nation's food production. Without adequate assistance, the sustainability of rice production in Malaysia could be at risk.
"The core issue with subsidies is that the rice price hasn't been reviewed in 17 years, necessitating annual increases to cover controlled pricing costs," said Abdul Rashid.
PeSawah recently led hundreds of padi farmers to the Prime Minister’s Office to demand that the padi floor price increase be at least RM1,800 per tonne due to increased costs.
