Compiled by TAN SIN CHOW, FAZLEENA AZIZ and R. ARAVINTHAN
PADI farmers in Kangar, Perlis, say the RM20.60 seed subsidy offers little relief as prices have risen to between RM56 and RM70 per bag, forcing them to pay the difference out of their own pockets, Utusan Malaysia reported.
Suara Tani Malaysia chairman Mohd Shazwan Suban said current prices had increased farmers’ expenses by RM35 to RM45 per bag, adding to the financial strain of preparing for a new planting season.
He said padi seed prices had risen from about RM35 in 2021 to RM45 in 2023 before reaching RM56 this year, with some varieties costing between RM60 and RM70, depending on the grade and market demand.
He said the subsidy had become less effective as agricultural input costs kept rising, squeezing farmers’ profit margins and forcing some to take on debt.
Mohd Shazwan urged the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to disclose the padi seed pricing structure, including production, processing, packaging, transportation and distributor margins.
He also called for greater transparency in subsidy distribution, including details of the companies involved, contract values, supply quantities and payment records.
“The government must prove that the subsidy actually reduces input costs for farmers, rather than merely stating that assistance has been provided,” he said.
> Datuk Leonard Tan, known as the “Singer of 1,000 Voices” and the “King of Jingles”, continues to entertain audiences while mentoring young singers and promoting unity in Malaysia’s music industry.
Tan, who rose to prominence with his song Bintang Bukannya Satu in 1994, has built a diverse career spanning singing, comedy, acting, voice work, music production and event consultancy.
Known for mimicking music legends such as Louis Armstrong, the Bee Gees and the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee, he has also lent his voice to advertising jingles for diverse brands.
Speaking to BH Online, Tan said he remained active through various activities, while helping aspiring singers improve their vocal techniques and stage presence.
The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.
