Farmers’ authority calls for higher price of local padi

 

Mahfuz Omar said raising the minimum price of padi would ensure that farmers can maintain their livelihood and profits. (Bernama pic)

ALOR SETAR: The Farmers’ Organisation Authority has urged the government to increase the floor price of locally-produced padi and set a ceiling price for imported rice.

The authority’s chairman, Mahfuz Omar said a higher floor price of local padi would protect farmers, as rice processors would not be able to purchase padi below the set floor price.

He said the matter had been brought to the attention of the minister for agriculture and food security.

“We suggest raising the minimum price for buying padi; it’s to safeguard farmers. Factories won’t be allowed to purchase below this price, which ensures farmers can maintain their livelihood and profits,” he said.

Mahfuz also proposed that the government set a ceiling price for imported rice to prevent supply manipulation in the market.

“When there is no ceiling price, it will lead to manufacturers manipulating the supply. They mix local rice with imported rice to make a profit, so we ask for a ceiling price for imported rice,” he said.

In October last year, the government announced an increase in the floor price for padi to RM1,300 per tonne compared to the RM1,200 rate set since 2014. - FMT