ALOR SETAR (BERNAMA) – The paddy floor price increase to MYR1,300 per metric tonne announced in Malaysia’s Budget 2024 has boosted farmers’ enthusiasm to increase production.
Farmer Mohd Farid Ahmad, 35, from Alor Setar, said although the increase is not big, it helps the farmer cover rising costs.
“It didn’t go up very much from MYR1,200 per tonne to MYR1,300 per tonne, but at least there is an increase which means there is a little more income. However, if it can be increased to MYR1,500 per tonne, I think it would be much better and would provide more relief to farmers who have to face the increase in various operating costs,” said Mohd Farid, who cultivates about two hectares of paddy.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the paddy floor price increase to help farmers’ income at the tabling of the Budget 2024 on October 13.
Meanwhile, another farmer, Abu Bakar Kasim, 57, appealed to the government to conduct a census and review the increase in costs faced by farmers, in addition to introducing new initiatives to increase farmers’ income.
“What the government has announced is very much appreciated, plus the increase in the Paddy Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) rate to MYR500 per tonne (from MYR350 per tonne previously) can also help ease operating costs and inject our enthusiasm. However, if there is another initiative (introduced by the government) we will be very grateful,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Persaudaraan Pesawah Malaysia (PeSawah) executive council (exco) member, Abdul Rashid Yob, said that the increase in the floor price to MYR1,300 per metric tonne for rice purchases was indeed a relief to farmers, but he hoped that there would be additional increases announced by the government later.
