PASIR SALAK: Padi Beras Nasional Bhd (Bernas) was today urged not to impose over 25 per cent cut on the price of padi.
Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said if the price cut was too high it would affect the income of the farmers.
“With price cut exceeding 25 per cent it will be difficult to cover production costs and this is a matter of survival for the farmers and the ministry is responsible for them,” he told reporters after a dialogue with farmers in Seberang Perak here today.
Earlier several farmers expressed their dissatisfaction with Bernas for making price cuts of between 26 to 47 per cent per metric ton on padi sale this season.
Tajuddin, who is also the MP for Pasir Salak, said Bernas had been given monopoly as the sole importer of rice for the purpose of helping farmers but now with the farmers hard pressed, Bernas had not been successful in helping them.
“Bernas should be aware of their social responsibility as they are known to make huge profits every year. It is only fair that they act in the interest of the farmers,” he said. -- Bernama