TAPAH: The price of certified padi seed, which has been reduced by RM2, will be re-evaluated from time to time, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said he hoped that farmers would accept the decision for now.
"We will always listen to the farmers' requests that are reasonable," he said in a press conference after attending a Hari Raya open house organised by the Tapah Farmers' Organisation Authority and Farmers' Organisation here on Thursday (April 17).
It was reported that the Malaysia Padi Farmers Brotherhood Association (PeSAWAH) had voiced their dissatisfaction towards the price change, noting that it did not benefit farmers.
Its chairman Abdul Rashid Yob said the price change had only involved wholesalers, whereby 20kg bag of rice has been lowered from RM54 to RM52.
While at retail, the price was lowered to RM56 from RM58.
The ministry had on Monday (April 14) announced that the maximum controlled price for subsidised certified padi seeds be revised to RM52 at the wholesale level and RM56 at retail in Peninsular Malaysia.
It said that the price change was implemented after engagement sessions with the relevant parties, taking into account various factors including production costs, coordination of the padi purchase floor price and the welfare of farmers, while ensuring quality padi and supplies.
As for the price of coconut milk, Mohamad said it has reduced slightly during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.
'In general, prices have dropped slightly but not like two to three months ago.
"Steps have been taken to bring in coconut milk from Sabah to the market (in the peninsula)," he said, adding that more than one million coconuts have been shipped to the peninsula.
"The supply is returning back to normal, and hopefully there'll be no more issues at the end of the month.
"It's just that during the festive season, the demand was higher for a month," he added.
Mohamad was responding to a question that prices of coconut milk were still high in certain areas.
Under the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri Season Maximum Price Control Scheme (SHMMP), the price of coconut milk was capped at RM17.50 per kg in Peninsular Malaysia, RM12 in Sabah, RM9 in Sarawak and RM15 in Labuan.
Mohamad also said he thanked all relevant agencies and parties for cooperating with the government to ensure prices of food are stable during the festive period.
"When it comes to food security, we cannot be complacent because it can be impacted by various factors.
"There are external factors that can affect production and price. These include weather and global demand.
"Prices of chicken, eggs, watermelons and meat are stable," he said.
On the Ayer Kuning by-election campaign by Amanah, Mohamad said everything was running smoothly.
"There are no huge challenges, because our election machinery is trained for voluntary work and we don't not spend much funds," he added.
