Kuala lumpur: The advance payment of RM200 per hectare under the Ploughing Incentive for Padi Farmers (IPKP) will ease the financial burden on farmers and ensure smoother preparations for the 1/2026 planting season. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu stated that the initiative provides farmers with the RM200 payment earlier, saving them the trouble of having to come up with their own capital upfront.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, under the old system, farmers could only claim the IPKP after ploughing works were completed. Mohamad Sabu emphasized that this change demonstrates the MADANI Government's commitment to listening to the concerns of farmers and considering their views at the grassroots level. He highlighted the government's dedication to continuously improving existing approaches to ensure the welfare of farmers remains protected, aligning with efforts to strengthen national food security.

Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the government had agreed to pay an advance of RM200 per hectare, representing part of the Special Ploughing Incentive rate, to 240,000 registered padi farmers nationwide to ease their burden. Anwar mentioned that the initiative, which was agreed upon at the meeting of the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) that he chaired, will involve a financial implication of RM48 million.

Elaborating further, Mohamad Sabu said he had instructed the Ministry to finalise the payment process immediately so that the advance can be disbursed without delay, thereby helping farmers better prepare for the start of the season.