Fields of frustration: A farmer ploughing a padi field with a hand tractor at Tikam Batu in Kedah. Farmers say the price of government-certified padi seeds now cost RM56, from RM58 previously, bringing a savings of no more than RM14 when replanting a hectare of padi field. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Kedah farmers call for direct subsidies and quality padi seeds
ALOR SETAR: Despite many appeals since 2023, the price of government-certified padi seeds has dropped by just RM2 for every 20kg.
Even then, these seeds are of poor quality, claimed Kedah farmers.
The farmers said the seeds now cost RM56, from RM58 previously, bringing a savings of no more than RM14 when replanting a hectare of padi field.
“One hectare typically needs 140kg of seeds. And most of the time, the seeds are of poor quality with low germination rates,” said farmer Shuib Ismail, 65.
Shuib, who has been a farmer for more than 30 years, said the subsidy should have been given directly to the farmers as cash assistance or vouchers which would allow them to choose reliable suppliers and get better quality seeds.
Such an approach, he said, would not only empower farmers but also push suppliers to maintain higher standards.
Currently, the government’s subsidy to padi seed suppliers for each 20kg bag of certified seeds is RM20.60.
Last Thursday, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the price of certified padi seeds would be re-evaluated from time to time.
He said the ministry realised the plight of farmers and hoped they would accept the decision for now.
On April 14, the ministry announced that the maximum controlled price for subsidised certified padi seeds would be revised to RM52 at wholesale level and RM56 at retail in Peninsular Malaysia.
Another padi farmer Wan Maharuddin Sulaiman, 68, urged the government to allow farmers to produce their own padi seeds.
He said the monopoly of padi seed production only worsened farmers’ situation as the seed supply was not good.
“Poor quality of seeds cause more diseases,” he added.
On the Federal Government’s RM1bil allocation to Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) to boost padi production, Shuib said all farmers in his circle approved of it.
He said it would help Mada improve its maintenance of infrastructure in Kedah.
“In my area in Tualang, about 45ha of padi fields have been abandoned or left idle due to the lack of functional irrigation channels.
“With the allocation, these padi fields can be watered again,” he said.
