KUALA LUMPUR: Claims that the government has delayed or failed to disburse aid to padi farmers are untrue, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said the Madani administration has, in fact, raised the Ploughing Incentive for Padi Farmers (IPKP) and announced increased aid payments.
He added that the government had raised IPKP from RM100 to RM160 per hectare from last year’s first planting season and announced an increase in aid to RM300 per hectare on Tuesday (April 14).
"For season 1/2025, IPKP payments have been fully settled, totalling RM39.314mil to over 135,000 paddy farmers across Peninsular Malaysia.
"For season 2/2025, more than RM27mil has already been paid as of Tuesday, with about 30% of remaining claims under processing and due to be settled soon,” he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (April 15).
He said IPKP payments follow planting by farmers, unlike direct Budi Agri-Commodity cash aid credited to recipient accounts.
"In every season, some farmers plant while others don’t. One season they might work 10 hectares, the next just eight. That’s why claims are based on actual work done, to ensure public funds are managed transparently and accurately.
"It’s also important to note that padi planting seasons differ by state. For instance, when Kedah begins a new season, Kelantan might still be harvesting. Payments, therefore, can’t be made at the same time across all states,” he said.
Mohamad said officers verify claims on-site after submission by service providers or farmers, processing payments only if documents are complete.
He said the government also launched the Padi Harvesting Incentive (IPP) of RM50 per hectare last year, a new aid never offered before, which uses the same claims process as IPKP.
"Truth is, aid payments are already made, ongoing, and outstanding claims will be settled once verification is complete,” he said.
He said the government will continue to increase aid, improve systems, safeguard farmers' welfare, and address claims process shortcomings as they arise. — Bernama
