Bukit kenak: The padi inspection and quality assessment at BERNAS Rice Mill (KBB) Bukit Kenak, Terengganu, are conducted in accordance with Malaysian Standard MS 84:2017 and the Padi Grading Standard Operating Procedure under Standing Order No. 3/2017 issued by the director-general of Padi and Rice Regulatory.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) stated in a statement today that based on physical laboratory analysis, the main factor contributing to the 46.2 per cent deduction rate was the high content of immature/green padi grains, which reached 23.8 per cent after the allowable 3.0 per cent exemption was deducted. Other contributing factors included wet padi content at 10.6 per cent and empty grains at 11.8 per cent.

KPKM noted that the padi harvesting season in Terengganu for Season 2/2026 was still at an early stage. 'Padi harvested during the early part of the season, particularly from areas outside the main padi granary irrigation schemes such as Kampung Jelapang, Setiu, is commonly affected by uneven grain maturity during harvesting,' it said.

The ministry emphasised that the grading process at all purchasing mills prioritises transparent two-way communication with farmers or their representatives. 'For this transaction, the deduction rate was clearly communicated, and the farmers' representative confirmed acceptance of the assessment by signing the Padi Quality Certificate (SMP) before the purchase was finalised,' the statement read.

KPKM affirmed its commitment to safeguarding farmers' welfare while ensuring the efficiency of the country's padi and rice industry through compliance with established guidelines and standards. The ministry has also instructed the Padi and Rice Regulatory inspection team to coordinate monitoring in states that are approaching their harvesting seasons.

Recently, a video of a farmer expressing dissatisfaction over the 46.2 per cent padi deduction rate at KBB Bukit Kenak, Terengganu, went viral on social media. Following the issue, the Padi and Rice Regulatory Division under KPKM conducted a detailed review of the transaction records and padi quality testing procedures at the mill on Sept 8 to ensure transparency and compliance with the required standards.