MADA TO BUILD OWN PADI PROCESSING FACTORY TO SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS

ALOR SETAR, March 6 (Bernama) -- The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) will build its own padi processing factory as part of efforts to support farmers in its areas, said chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh.

He said the initiative aimed to ensure that padi farmers in the MADA areas could earn better returns for their hard work in cultivating the crop.

“The hardworking padi farmers do not earn much from their crops, while others are making billions from the farmer’s efforts. That is why every year they raise banners to express their dissatisfaction.

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“With rising production costs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and seeds, coupled with low padi floor prices, padi farmers are facing financial difficulties,” he said at a moreh event with the media at the MADA Headquarters here last night.

Dr Ismail said that to address the recurring issue every season, the padi processing factory project, which has received government approval, is expected to be operational within four to five years.

“The factory is capable of processing up to 50,000 tonnes of padi per year, which is equivalent to about five per cent of the total padi production in the MADA areas. In the future, we could potentially control up to 30 per cent, nothing is impossible.

“As long as the entire industry chain is not under our control, padi farmers will continue to face challenges, with profits going to other parties. Full control would ensure that all revenue flows directly to the farmers,” he said.

Dr Ismail said that upon the factory’s completion, the padi harvested by farmers would first be sold to the Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK) before being processed at the MADA-owned facility.

“This move will help ensure that the padi industry chain, from production to processing, is effectively controlled. It is important aspadi price earned by farmers is closely linked to the price of local white rice determined by the government,” he said.

-- BERNAMA