PETALING JAYA: The extent of losses suffered by farmers in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) area following delays in fertiliser distribution has yet to be determined, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic).
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said any further intervention will depend on a study to be conducted after the November harvest.
He said the ministry had not received any official figures on the losses allegedly suffered by farmers due to delays in the supply of additional NPK compound fertiliser, known as Baja Padi 3.
“A comprehensive study will be carried out once harvesting activities are completed in November to establish the actual impact on padi production.
“As of Oct 22, harvesting activities in the Mada area had reached 83%, and there are still no official figures on the losses in question,” he said in a written parliamentary reply.
He added that any further intervention by the ministry could only be determined after the study was completed, though he did not specify whether compensation or special assistance would be provided to affected farmers.
He was responding to Tampin MP Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa, who had asked about the reasons behind delays in distributing Baja Padi 3 to farmers across Mada’s 100,000ha agricultural area.
Mohamad said the ministry had identified the supplier’s failure to meet contractual requirements as one of the reasons for the disruption.
“Among the main causes of the delays in supply and distribution was the company’s failure to supply fertiliser according to the specifications, quantity and quality stipulated in the tender documents.”
