PUTRAJAYA, Oct 20 — The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFS) has implemented the new ceiling price for the Certified Padi Seed Incentive programme in Peninsular Malaysia effective today, said its minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The maximum ceiling price has been raised to RM40 from RM31 per 20kg sack at the wholesale level, and RM45 from the previous RM35 at the retail level.
"The adjustment does not involve any financial implications to the government,” he said during a press conference today.
Mohamad added it would also keep the existing production, supply, and distribution structure involving 12 producers, 13 wholesalers, and 456 retailers nationwide.
“The adjustment will encourage the use of high-quality and disease-resistant seeds among rice farmers and curb the use of uncertified seeds in the market,” he said.
The ministry is concerned about the plight of farmers over the difficulty in procuring seeds and prices reaching up to RM50.
Mohamad said the government decided to raise the floor price of rice from RM1,200 per metric ton to RM1,300 as part of Budget 2024 on October 13, which is expected to impact the price of rice, especially seeds.
MAFS also expects the rise in padi seeds to affect the cost of seed production, including those under the incentive programme, making the existing ceiling price of RM35 per 20kg sack unfeasible.
Media outlets reported that farmers in Kedah complained about difficulty obtaining affordable padi seeds as they begin the rice planting process at the end of this month.
— Bernama
