GOVT LAUNCHES 2025 SUBSIDY SCHEME FOR HILL PADI FARMERS IN SABAH, SARAWAK

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has launched the Hill/Huma Padi Fertiliser and Pesticide Subsidy Scheme (SBRPB) for 2025, aimed at strengthening hill and huma padi cultivation outside major rice bowl areas.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said RM42 million has been allocated for Padi 4 compound and liquid urea fertilisers, with an additional RM11.4 million for liquid herbicides.

“This year’s scheme, which began with the October planting season, will benefit about 44,000 hectares of hill padi in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said at the engagement programme with farmers, breeders and fishermen at Dewan Kampung Johan Jaya in Sook today.

Also present were Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, Farmers Organisation Authority (LPP) chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar, LPP director-general Amir Matamin and National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS) general manager Muhammad Faris Arriffin.

Mohamad said the scheme is implemented in strategic collaboration with NAFAS, which coordinates the supply and distribution of fertilisers and pesticides to eligible farmers.

“The ministry recognises that hill padi cultivation in Sabah is still largely traditional. Our policy now not only focuses on main rice bowl areas in Peninsular Malaysia but also strengthens cultivation outside these areas, including across Sabah,” he said.

Mohamad added the goal is to shift hill padi farming from subsistence to commercial, high-productivity operations.

“The scheme demonstrates the government’s commitment to easing farmers’ burdens through ongoing subsidies and incentives, as well as upgrading agricultural infrastructure,” he said.

“This assures that farmers nationwide will not be left behind in national development. It is hoped that it will increase yields, sustain hill padi cultivation, strengthen rural economies, and contribute to stable supply of rice,” he said.

He also said the ministry is considering making Keningau Sabah’s main hub for hill padi, given its fertile soil.

“We aim for hill padi cultivation here to move beyond personal use to a commercial scale as premium rice,” he said.

He added that his visit to the padi planting project in Kampung Biah, Sook, reflects the government’s commitment to improving irrigation and support infrastructure in the area.

The programme also featured the MADANI Agro Sale, organised by LPP, the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) and the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), offering discounts of up to 30 per cent below market prices.

-- BERNAMA