GEORGE TOWN – The government has reasoned that its move to set a ceiling price of RM35 per bag of padi seeds under the Certified Padi Seed Incentive programme is aimed at reducing the manipulation of the product’s prices in the market.
It added that the appointment of the National Farmers’ Organisation (Nafas) as the sole distributor of such seeds helps in facilitating this, as unrestricted purchase of the seeds from factories, producers and resales have resulted in extremely high prices for farmers who need them.
The incentive programme was introduced by the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry since the start of the rice planting season this year.
The ministry in a written reply to The Vibes said it has taken the initiative to implement the programme as the problem of prices is an annual recurrence, causing delays in the delivery of padi seeds.
“The ministry has taken into account the results of inspections and investigations, as well as complaints by farmers, regarding the increase in rice seed prices during each planting season.”
It said the setting of RM35 as a ceiling price complements the improvements in distribution, which sees Nafas working with local farmers’ organisations to supply padi seeds directly to farmers based on demand. Nafas also monitors the quality of the seeds.
“In addition, farmers have the right to order seeds through the farmers’ organisations with a price not exceeding RM35. The quality is guaranteed.
“The ministry has also implemented control over the distribution of rice seeds by licensing agents and retailers, consisting of 145 farmers’ organisations related to rice cultivation in the peninsula.
“To date, 336,000 bags have been distributed to the doorsteps of farmers in all the states in the peninsula through licensed agents with a maximum price of RM35 a bag.
“The use of certified rice seeds is important as it can overcome wind padi and improve the quality of rice production in the country.”
The ministry said it will continue to monitor seed distribution by Nafas and implement improvements from time to time to benefit farmers.
On March 10, farmers from Pinang Tunggal near Kepala Batas, Penang, had gathered to protest the ministry’s decision to appoint Nafas as the sole distributor of padi seeds in the country.
The farmers had claimed that the appointment will allow monopoly of the seeds and other agricultural items, and urged the ministry to continue to allow purchases to be made in a free market system.
They complained that the new system has made the seeds even more expensive and lacked assurance of a return policy for bad seeds.
The Vibes had previously reported Malaysian Consumers Association Federation vice-president Datuk K. Koris Atan as saying that the farmers’ unhappiness over the move means that the ministry should review its policy.
“Any decision or policy change must benefit the target group, and the government should not bulldoze its decision into being accepted by the farmers.” – The Vibes, March 14, 2021
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