Certified padi seeds ceiling price set to prevent manipulation - MAFI
The decision to fix the ceiling price for Certified Padi Seeds (BPS) at RM35 per 20kg bag was made to prevent manipulation of BPS and prices in the field through uncontrolled purchases by various parties at the factories.
PUTRAJAYA:The decision to fix the ceiling price for Certified Padi Seeds (BPS) at RM35 per 20kg bag was made to prevent manipulation of BPS and prices in the field through uncontrolled purchases by various parties at the factories.
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries' Padi and Rice Regulatory division director-general Azman Mahmood said this decision was also made after the ministry detected the sale of padi seeds by agents or middlemen who did not have a valid licence to farmers.
"The ministry has taken the initiative to implement the mechanism due to this recurring issue which has caused delays in delivery of the padi seeds and price hikes up of to RM60 per 20 kg of padi seeds," he said in a statement today.
On Dec 22 last year, Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said that MAFI had set a ceiling price for BPS not exceeding RM35 for every 20 kilograms (kg) to prevent manipulation.
Azman said the ceiling price of BPS was set at a maximum level of RM35 per bag without involving the additional allocation for the incentives provided by the government and the quality of the seeds would also be monitored.
Meanwhile, he said MAFI was in the process of identifying new companies to be appointed as BPS manufacturers for the next three years.
To date, he said a total of 81,000 seed bags have been distributed to Selangor, Perak and Pahang through registered agents.
"The use of BPS by farmers is very important as it can help contain the 'padi angin' or weedy rice as well as improve the quality of the country's rice production," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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