After a year of waiting for ploughing incentives, padi farmers to finally get update next week

ALOR STAR: A year has passed since the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) announced ploughing and harvesting incentives worth RM210 per hectare for nearly 130,000 padi farmers across Peninsular Malaysia.
Yet, the farmers are still waiting.
Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (Pesawah) chairman, Abdul Rashid Yob, expressed frustration over the delay.
"It has been a year since the ministry announced on 11 June 2024 that the government would disburse these incentives," he told the New Straits Times.
"But to this day, we have received no updates from the ministry."
The incentives were announced last year alongside a revision in the ploughing allowance, which was increased from RM100 to RM160 per hectare per season. Additionally, a new harvesting incentive of RM50 per hectare per season was introduced, bringing the total to RM210 per hectare under the government's support package.
The announcement came following the launch of the targeted diesel subsidy initiative on 9 June 2024, aimed at curbing subsidy leakages and improving the nation's fiscal health.
Rashid stressed that the incentives are crucial to alleviating the financial burden on farmers, particularly in light of rising machinery rental costs caused by higher diesel prices.
"We urge the government to expedite the payout, especially for ploughing and harvesting, since diesel-powered machinery is central to both activities," he said.
Farmers' advocacy group Gerakan Melawan Penindasan Petani (Gempita) coordinator,
Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir echoed the call for prompt disbursement.
"The cost of ploughing and harvesting has soared to between RM400 and RM600 per hectare. Without the promised incentives, farmers are left to shoulder these expenses themselves," he said.
"They're already grappling with rising costs of fertiliser, pesticides, and labour."
Meanwhile, KPKM in a statement this evening said the ministry will finalise the distribution mechanism next Monday.
"With regard to the padi ploughing and harvesting incentives, KPKM will finalise the distribution mechanism during the upcoming meeting of the Cabinet Committee on National Food Security Policy (FSCC) this Monday.
"It is stressed that all actions taken are based on engagement with industry players, service providers, and the farmers themselves.
"Further information regarding these incentives will be shared soon," the ministry said in response to the New Straits Times.
KPKM said it acknowledged the concerns raised regarding the provision of ploughing and harvesting incentives for padi farmers.
"It must be emphasised that the Madani government always listens and takes seriously the welfare and interests of padi farmers. Various improvement measures have been implemented and are being formulated to ensure that all incentives are delivered to farmers in a fair, accurate, and effective manner.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Star

16 hours ago

• The Star

Hong Leong Bank issues RM400mil Tier 2 subordinated notes

KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Leong Bank Bhd (HLB) has issued RM400 million in nominal value of Tier 2 subordinated notes under its multi-currency Tier 2 subordinated notes programme (HLB T2 Programme). In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the bank said the issuance comprises two tranches: Tranche 6 Series 1, amounting to RM75 million and Tranche 6 Series 2 totalling RM325 million. "Tranche 6 Series 1, with a tenure of 10 years, has a coupon rate of 3.78 per cent per annum, and is non-callable for five years, while Tranche 6 Series 2 has a tenure of 12 years, a coupon rate of 3.85 per cent per annum, and is non-callable for seven years. "Both tranches pay coupons every six months, with Tranche 6 Series 1 callable from June 20, 2030, and Tranche 6 Series 2 from June 21, 2032, on any subsequent coupon payment date," it said. HLB added that the proceeds from the subordinated notes will be utilised, without limitation, for its working capital, general banking, and other corporate purposes, and the refinancing of any existing borrowings incurred, subordinated debt issued by the bank and/or any existing subordinated notes issued under the HLB T2 Programme. RAM Rating Services Bhd has assigned an AA1 rating for the subordinated notes programme. - Bernama

New Straits Times

17 hours ago

• New Straits Times

PM: We're cutting debt gradually to keep investors' trust [WATCH]

PUTRAJAYA: The government is committed to gradually reducing the national debt while safeguarding economic growth and maintaining investor confidence, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. In his address at the Finance Ministry's monthly assembly, Anwar said efforts had been ongoing to reduce the fiscal deficit from 5.5 per cent in 2022 to a projected 3.8 per cent this year. "Some people ask why we must reduce it so sharply — why not just channel more to the people? "But if we don't, we lose trust from investors, and trust is critical. Leadership and economic stewardship require making policies we genuinely believe in. "With trust comes the ability to solve wider issues — from revenue generation and job creation, to overall economic development," he said. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, rejected claims that the government's focus on reducing debt came at the expense of the people's welfare, saying it was part of a long‑term strategy that required prudent and measured management. He said the total national debt had decreased from RM100 billion in 2022 to RM90 billion in 2023, RM85 billion in 2024, and was expected to drop to RM80 billion this year. "Since we came into office in 2022, we have reduced the debt by RM20 billion," he said. Anwar added that resolving the national debt could not be done hastily, and required patience and a gradual approach. "It's like when a son inherits a company after his father's death and finds RM50,000 in debts. He can't wipe it out in a year — it has to be resolved step by step," he said. In March, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan announced the government's commitment to reducing the fiscal deficit to 3.8 per cent in 2025, in line with its long‑term goal of bringing it down gradually and consistently — from 5.5 per cent in 2022, to five per cent in 2023, and 4.1 per cent last year. He said this approach would also slow the rise in total debt by reducing new borrowings each year — from nearly RM100 billion in 2022, to RM92.6 billion in 2023, and roughly RM77 billion last year.

Barnama

17 hours ago

• Barnama

SejaTi MADANI: Value-added Catfish Products Help Boost Community Income

PASIR SALAK, June 20 (Bernama) -- The Sejahtera Komuniti MADANI (SejaTi MADANI) programme has proven effective in strengthening the local economy, particularly for the urban poor and communities in rural and remote areas. Perak Menteri Besar's special officer for the Kampung Gajah state constituency, Khairul Azwan Harun, said that with a government grant of RM100,000 under the SejaTi MADANI initiative, the community of Kampung Makmur near Kampung Gajah here has achieved notable success through the production of value-added products derived from catfish farming in canvas ponds. "The Kampung Makmur community now has three main downstream products, namely catfish balls, cakes, and butter garlic herb fillets, all produced entirely by participants of the SejaTi MADANI programme. "This project not only generates income from fish farming but also imparts new knowledge and helps increase the income of local residents through the creation of downstream products," he told Bernama after launching the products under the SejaTi MADANI programme by the Kampung Makmur Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) at Pasir Salak Community College here today. He also reminded recipients of SejaTi MADANI funds to ensure that the allocations bring positive impact to the local community. "Participants must realise that the SejaTi MADANI programme, initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is meant to help the community grow their economy," he said. Meanwhile, Kampung Makmur JPKK chairman Muhammad Fauzi Ahmad Shaharudin said the launch of the downstream products marked the continuation of the catfish farming project undertaken by the community in September last year. "Following the success of our catfish farming, we began a new chapter by developing downstream products, and a total of 17 JPKK members took part in an intensive training series at Pasir Salak Community College from May 21 to June 12," he said. He added that in addition to processing techniques, participants also received training in packaging, labelling, digital marketing, and accounting to ensure they not only produce quality goods but are also capable of managing and promoting their business effectively.