JITRA – An association comprising padi farmers known as Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia, or Pesawah, is seeking the government to consider providing the subsidy for padi seeds directly to them.
Its executive council member, Abdul Rashid Yob, said the move would enable farmers to get their supply of quality paid seeds at reasonable prices.
He claimed that the problem of poor quality padi seeds had been plaguing farmers in Kedah for the past four years.
Similar complaints had been received by farmers in Negri Sembilan and Penang, Rashid added.
“One of the problems with poor padi seeds is that seeds that had been processed for more than three months will not germinate when soaked in water…now, with the higher operating costs, it will definitely burden the farmers,” he said.
According to Rashid, the subsidy is currently given to rice mills.
“What we want is for the government to give the subsidy, either in the form of coupons or cash, directly to the farmers.
“They (can then) make their own choice on where to buy the padi seeds.
“This way, there will be healthy competition, especially if more parties are given the license to sell the padi seeds,” Rashid told a press conference here today.
He also advised farmers to cease the practice of keeping, sharing and selling rice seeds among themselves.
Meanwhile, Mada Farmers’ Action Body chairman Che Ani Mat Zain said the decline in padi crop yield is a result of poor-quality seeds.
“Hence, the need for the government to take immediate action by listening to farmers' complaints because it involves food safety,” he added. – Bernama, June 5, 2023
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