MAFI to set price ceiling for rice seeds

PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI) will implement a price ceiling and coupon system for the purchase of rice seeds.

It said in a statement today that these measures were agreed upon through a dialogue with farmers’ representatives to solve an issue often encountered by paddy farmers.

MAFI said that it would also appoint the National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS) as the sole distributor of legitimate rice seeds to farmers.

“Legitimate rice seed distribution and supply will be controlled through an online system developed by Nafas which will enable better tracking,” the statement said.

MAFI added that it will open the door for more people to become legitimate rice seed producers, including area farmers’ organisations (PPK), private and government companies.

“However, those who are chosen will be monitored and have to undergo financial and technical assessment by a committee which shall be appointed,” it said.

Prior to this, legitimate rice seeds were ordered from rice seed producers five to six months ahead of the planting season.

“But there were producers who couldn’t completely fulfil orders because of the supply capacity, last-minute changes to the order and so on,” MAFI said.

It said that although the government had set the price at RM28 per 20kg bag of legitimate rice seeds sold at the producer’s doorstep, middlemen or agents were exploiting it.

Malay daily, Harian Metro, reported recently that there were individuals who were manipulating the price by concealing supplies as well as distributing benih kampit putih (inferior rice seeds).

-- BERNAMA