Review the RM100 padi floor price increase, govt told

Farmers are anticipating an increase in the padi floor price to RM1,500 per metric tonne.

PETALING JAYA: An opposition MP wants the government to reconsider the RM1,300 rate proposed in the recent federal budget for padi floor price, in view of the anticipation of a hike.

Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) said the increment ran contrary to the expectations of rice farmers, who were anticipating a rise in the padi floor price to RM1,500 per metric tonne.

On Saturday, FMT reported that Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (Pesawah) said the RM100 increase in the budget would be insufficient considering how there had been a rise in operational costs.

“It’s just RM100,” Kiandee said, when comparing it to the previous rate of RM1,200 per metric tonne.

“My question is whether the government considered the rice industry in its entirety and the propensity of the price of rice to be manipulated when adopting this approach,” he asked when debating the 2024 budget proposals in the Dewan Rakyat.

The government, he said, should not formulate policies on an ad hoc basis, adding it must be based on a comprehensive strategy as it would have long-term implications for food security.

The Bersatu vice-president said the welfare of consumers and producers of food industries needs to be taken into account, as suppressing either party can cause disruptions.

“What will happen if government policies suppress them? We will become dependent on the continuous import of food supplies from abroad.”

Besides rice and eggs, Malaysia is also highly dependent on mutton and beef imports. - FMT