FARMERS GROUP SEEKS LOWER PADI SEED PRICES AHEAD OF NEW SEASON

PENDANG, April 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (PeSAWAH) has called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to immediately lower the price of padi seeds for the 1/2025 planting season to ease the financial burden on farmers.

Its chairman, Abdul Rashid Yob said the current controlled price at the factory gate remains at RM58 per 20kg bag, a rate set in March 2024 when mills were offering up to RM1,800 per tonne for harvested padi.

“Since the latest harvest only fetched around RM1,500 per tonne, the current seed price is no longer reasonable. Action must be taken quickly as the first phase of the planting season under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) – starting with water release, begins on April 16.

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“Right now, farmers are forced to buy certified seeds at RM58 per bag. We propose that the price be reduced to RM35 per bag at the factory gate," he said when met in Kampung Alor Belat here today.

He added that rising living costs and higher machinery rental rates are making things more difficult for farmers.

Abdul Rashid also said that lowering seed prices is important to safeguard the welfare of the farming community.

Meanwhile, a farmer, Shukri Baharom, 63, urged the government to act quickly, saying the current seed prices are based on outdated padI prices.

“Seed prices increased in March 2024 when padi was priced at RM1,800 per tonne. Now that the government has set the floor price at RM1,500, the seed prices should be adjusted accordingly. We hope the government will consider this matter urgently,” he said.

-- BERNAMA