Kuala lumpur: The government has agreed to increase the Ploughing Incentive for Padi Farmers (IPKP) rate for the 2026 planting season from RM160 to RM300 per hectare, says Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir. He stated that this move is part of the government's immediate measures to manage the global energy crisis, while also safeguarding the livelihood of padi farmers.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the incentive, which involves an additional allocation of about RM40 million, will benefit nearly 200,000 padi farmers, some of whom are expected to commence planting this month. As further assistance, the MADANI Government introduced a harvesting incentive of RM50 per hectare per season last year to alleviate the burden of rising input costs, stated Akmal Nasrullah during a briefing on the global energy crisis.

Akmal Nasrullah also mentioned that in a bid to improve diesel assistance for targeted groups supplying essential goods, the MADANI Government agreed to increase the BUDI Agri-Commodities cash aid from RM300 to RM400 per month. This new rate is set to benefit over 200,000 farmers and smallholders, requiring an additional allocation of RM20 million per month.

Furthermore, the BUDI Diesel Individual cash assistance rate for eligible Malaysians has been raised from RM300 to RM400 per month, which will benefit roughly 150,000 individual diesel vehicle owners in Peninsular Malaysia. The implementation and dissemination of this initiative, involving an additional allocation of RM15 million per month, will be overseen by the Finance Ministry periodically.

In terms of ensuring energy supply, Akmal Nasrullah emphasized that the government is collaborating with PETRONAS and other relevant parties to prioritize supply, including coordinating the arrival of supply vessels in Pengerang, Johor, expected in mid-April.