Perak: The government has announced plans to review the price of certified padi seeds periodically, aiming to keep them affordable for rice farmers and alleviate financial pressure on the agricultural community. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, emphasized the ministry’s commitment to addressing the needs of those involved in ensuring national food security.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister highlighted a recent RM2 reduction in the price of certified padi seeds and urged farmers to accept this interim measure. He called for collective effort and cooperation among all stakeholders to stabilize the prices of essential goods. This statement was made during a meet-and-greet session with members of the Perak Farmers’ Organisation Authority, which was also attended by its chairman, Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

The Malaysian Rice Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (PeSAWAH) had previously voiced dissatisfaction with the decision to lower the price of certified padi seeds by only RM2 per sack, effective last Tuesday. PeSAWAH chairman Abdul Rashid Yob remarked that the reduction offers minimal relief to farmers, who are already struggling with decreased padi prices that have impacted their production costs.

In addition to addressing padi seed prices, Mohamad Sabu mentioned that the price of coconut milk is projected to stabilize within the next month. He noted a slight decrease during the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, attributing previous fluctuations to the festive season. The minister assured that over a million coconuts have been imported, with more expected as needed, to help normalize prices soon.