Padi Farmers Welcome New Padi Floor Price Announcement

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Padi farmers in Jerlun during a peaceful gathering to demand for the government to increase padi floor price to RM1,800 per metric tonne from RM1,300 per metric tonne PIX BY AHMAD MUKHSEIN MUKHTARJERLUN: Padi farmers have welcomed the government's commitment to setting a new floor price for padi, which will be presented by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu next week.
Che Ani Mat Zain, a seasoned padi farmer and spokesman for farmers in the Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) area, said farmers hoped for a new floor price of RM1,800 per metric tonne to ensure the sustainability of padi farming.
He said the current floor price of RM1,300 per metric tonne is insufficient since it does not cover the cost of cultivation.
"We are grateful that the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has heard our concerns and confirmed that a new price will be set by next week.
"I must stress that the current floor price of RM1,300 per metric tonne is too low to sustain padi farming.
"We are now waiting for a positive outcome," he told the New Straits Times at a peaceful padi farmers' gathering in Lana Bulu today.
About 100 padi farmers from the area attended the gathering, had participants expressing hope that the government would set the floor price at RM1,800 per metric tonne by next week.
Che Ani said that following a string of protests by padi farmers nationwide, rice millers had begun purchasing padi at RM1,500 per tonne.
However, he said, this amount remains insufficient.
"It is an improvement, but farmers still need an extra RM300 per tonne to sustain a sustainable livelihood.
"We are thankful that at least our voices are being heard," he said.
He also welcomed the government's announcement of an additional RM150 million in subsidies over six months to ensure the padi price hike does not lead to an increase in local white rice prices.
"However, the government must ensure that the RM150 million in subsidies reaches the intended targets rather than being misused by other parties," he added.
Che Ani expressed hope that the RM1 billion allocation for Mada to boost padi production in Kedah would lead to positive developments for padi farmers.
"Of course, the RM1 billion is not allocated directly to padi farmers, but we hope that with this substantial allocation, Mada will be able to improve infrastructure for padi farming, which in turn will boost our productivity," he said.
Earlier today, Anwar announced that a new floor price for padi would be announced next week, with Mohamad set to present cabinet papers on the price adjustment.
Anwar said the government would allocate an additional RM150 million in subsidies over six months following the price hike, emphasising that any price increase for farmers would not result in higher costs for consumers.
He also announced that the government had approved RM1 billion for Mada to boost padi production in Kedah, with a productivity enhancement programme set to be launched by the end of this month. - NST

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