ALOR STAR – The Farmers’ Organisation Authority has urged the government to increase the floor price for locally produced padi, besides setting a ceiling price for imported rice.
Its chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar said an increase in the floor price of padi would be to protect farmers, as rice processors could not purchase padi below the set floor price.
“We at (the authority), through the Farmers’ Advisory Council involving state government representatives from each state, have made resolutions and have brought this issue to the attention of the minister.
“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 profit,” he said after launching an Agro Madani programme in Kedah today.
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 a tonne compared to the RM1,200 rate set since 2014. – April 6, 2024