The government has reached a decision to set the paddy floor price to be increased to RM1,500 per metric ton starting February 16.
However, will this really solve the problems of farmers?
The Malaysian Farmers’ Brotherhood (PeSawah) today stressed that the price is still not enough to cover the ever-increasing operating costs.
Its chairman, Abdul Rashid Yob, said that the price of local white rice, which has not been revised for 17 years, is the main cause of this problem.
Farmers are now demanding that the floor price be increased further to RM1,800 as well as an additional RM300 incentive for farmers.
Abdul Rashid stated that the reduction in seed prices from RM58 to RM35 has helped farmers enough and stressed that as the backbone of the country’s food supply, the support provided is still not enough.
Agriculture Minister Mohamad Sabu had previously said that the rice price review would be made within six months.
However, for farmers, waiting six months is like wading through murky water with costs continuing to rise, but assistance still elusive.
