PUTRAJAYA: According to Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has implemented new price limits for the Certified Padi Seed Incentive program in Peninsular Malaysia. The Agriculture and Food Security Minister announced that the maximum price limit has been increased from RM31 to RM40 per 20kg sack at the wholesale level, and from RM35 to RM45 at the retail level.
Mohamad Sabu mentioned that this adjustment will not have any financial implications for the government and will not impact the existing production, supply, and distribution structure involving 12 producers, 13 wholesalers, and 456 retailers nationwide. He added that this move aims to encourage rice farmers to use high-quality and disease-resistant seeds, while also addressing the concern of farmers who are struggling to obtain seeds at reasonable prices, often reaching up to RM50.
Furthermore, the government had recently decided to raise the floor price of rice from RM1,200 to RM1,300 per tonne as part of the 2024 Budget, which is expected to have an impact on the price of rice, particularly seeds. Mohamad Sabu also highlighted that the rise in padi seeds is likely to affect the cost of seed production, including those under the incentive program, making the existing ceiling price of RM35 per 20kg sack unviable.
Media outlets have reported that farmers in Kedah have voiced their complaints about the difficulties they face in obtaining affordable padi seeds, especially as they prepare for the rice planting process at the end of this month. – Bernama
