Selangor Journal
Sekinchan state assemblyman Ng Sue Lim gathers with the paddy farmers in Sabak Bernam during a peaceful demonstration to urge the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) to increase paddy’s ceiling price on May 11, 2022. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

Paddy farmers urge Fed govt to increase ceiling price, cover cost of fertilisers and pesticides

By Norrasyidah Arshad

SEKINCHAN, May 11 — Over 8,000 farmers in Sekinchan are urging the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) to increase the ceiling price of paddy to RM1,400 per tonne from its current price of RM1,200 per tonne.

Sekinchan state assemblyman Ng Suee Lim said the current ceiling price is unable to meet farmers’ needs since the cost of paddy input is increasing.

“The cost of fertilisers and pesticides has increased to over 150 per cent from their original prices. The reason is due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the selling price of paddy remains low, instead of increasing.

“So we urge the government to increase the price of paddy. The paddy farmers make great sacrifices as they are involved in securing the country’s food supply,” he said after leading a peaceful gathering with 100 paddy farmers here today.

Sekinchan state assemblyman Ng Suee Lim addressing the paddy farmers during the peaceful gathering to call upon the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry (Mafi) increase paddy’s ceiling price, in Sabak Bernama on May 11, 2022. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

Asides from the price increase Ng, who is also the Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker, said farmers who operate on more than 18 hectares of paddy fields have similarly called for the wet cut per tonne to be returned to the 17 per cent level.

“Manufacturers have cut wet prices by up to 20 to 30 per cent. This has greatly impacted the total income of farmers and some even receive an average monthly salary of only RM1,000.

“They also demand the monthly fertiliser subsidy be increased to RM500. Currently it is RM360 and the amount is not enough because the paddy yield is uncertain,” Ng said.

He added the Federal government needs to safeguard the rights and needs of the group since they are not allowed to grow other crops.

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