ALOR STAR: Padi farmers in the state have raised concerns about the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry's silence regarding the price of government subsidised certified padi seeds ahead of the upcoming cultivation season.

Padi Farmers Action Committee chairman Che Ani Mat Zain claimed that in a recent meeting between the ministry, Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) and stakeholders, the ministry failed to provide details regarding the ceiling prices of padi seeds.

Che Ani, who is a farmer in the Mada area, said padi farmers were worried that padi subsidised seed prices might exceed the previous ceiling price of RM45 per 20kg bag.

"The discussion did not address the issue of padi seed prices, and it seems that suppliers may not be able to comply with the previous ceiling price of RM45 per 20kg bag.

"The question is, can suppliers afford to provide the certified seeds at that price?

"The burden falls on farmers. Now, farmers are starting to look for padi seeds, and they need two bags for each relong (0.3 hectare). It is hoped that this matter will be clarified before the next padi cultivation season," he said.

Che Ani also voiced concerns about the availability of padi subsidised seeds for farmers through certified suppliers, such as farmers area organisations and government-linked companies.

He said the ministry must ensure farmers' access to certified seeds from suppliers to prevent them from buying black market seeds at inflated prices.

"Each farmers area organisation will need about 29,000 bags, but we are concerned about whether we can secure sufficient supply from them. Usually, the organisations receive around 5,000 bags from suppliers."

He added that several farmers have lodged complaints about the shortage of subsidised certified padi seed during the previous planting season, forcing most of them to buy seeds from the black market at prices ranging from RM50 to RM70 per 20kg bag.

"We urge the authorities, especially the Padi and Rice Regulatory Board, to also ensure the quality of the certified padi seeds."

Che Ani also expressed concerns about the impact of prolonged dry and hot weather, attributed to the El Nino phenomenon, on padi farming.

"We acknowledge that the effects of climate change are indeed occurring and affecting padi production in the country.

"We hope that the ministry, together with Mada and other industry players, can address this issue and provide short-term and long-term solutions."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/03/1032055/kedah-padi-farmers-concerned-over-silence-subsidised-certified-padi