ALOR STAR: Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh has lashed out at "arrogant" private certified padi seed producers for the current supply shortage which is affecting the staple food's cultivation cycle.
Dr Ismail said to date, only 10.6 per cent of over 100,000ha of padi fields under Mada have started the new planting cycle as opposed to the over 50 per cent according to schedule.
"According to schedule, the new planting cycle which began on Sept 27 should have covered 33,580ha or 30 per cent of Mada padi fields.
"The second phase which started on Oct 17 until Dec 1 should cover 34,161ha followed by the third phase between Oct 17 and Dec 1, that should cover 34,162ha.
"However, up to date, we only managed to cover just some 10.6 per cent of padi fields as opposed to the over 50 per cent coverage according to schedule," he said in a joint press conference with the National Farmers Organisation Authority chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar here today.
Dr Ismail added that padi planting in Kedah located outside Mada areas are also facing the same delay, as it is estimated that only 10 per cent of the areas have started the planting cycle.
He lashed out at the private certified padi seeds producers and their agents for the delay, as the Local Farmers Organisation are not getting the supply as scheduled.
To compound matters, he said padi farmers are forced to get the supply at above the ceiling price set by the government, at RM45 per packet of 20kg.
The New Straits Times had earlier reported grouses raised by the Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (Pesawah) on their difficulty in getting the certified padi seed supply for the current planting cycle.
The NST also reported earlier today that Pesawah was taking the issue to lawmakers in parliament today, according to its executive council member Abdul Rashid Yob.