Latest news with #AbdulRashidYob
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Amendment to Plant Varieties Act may raise costs, warns farmers' group
ALOR STAR: The Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (Pesawah) has expressed concern over the government's proposed amendments to the Protection of New Plant Varieties Act 2004, warning that they could disrupt the long-standing livelihoods and traditional practices of padi farmers nationwide. The amendment, expected to be tabled in parliament later this month, aims to pave the way for Malaysia to accede to the 1991 International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV 91). While the move is seen as aligning Malaysia with international intellectual property standards, Pesawah chairman Abdul Rashid Yob fears it may come at a cost to tens of thousands of small-scale padi farmers who still rely on traditional seed practices. He claimed the amendments would limit farmers' rights to save, share, and sell seeds from their own harvests — a system that has sustained rural communities for generations. "The amendment would dramatically expand corporate plant breeders' rights while stripping farmers of the freedom to reuse seeds from their own fields. "Practices such as storing seeds for the next season, sharing with neighbours, or selling them on a small scale, all of which are still actively practised, would become punishable offences," he said in a statement today. Abdul Rashid added that such practices remain common, especially in padi-growing states such as Kedah, where it is estimated that nearly 30 per cent of farmers continue to save and exchange seeds each planting season. "These practices serve vital purposes. They help cut costs, as farmers no longer need to buy new seeds each season. "They ensure seed quality, as farmers can select the best grain suited to their specific soil conditions. "And for many, selling seeds in small batches supplements their income," he added. He argued that joining UPOV 91 could dismantle this ecosystem by forcing farmers to purchase only registered seeds from corporate breeders. This, he claimed, would not only increase dependency on large agribusinesses but also raise the overall cost of farming. "When choices are restricted and monopolies allowed to thrive, seed companies can hike prices without constraint, putting further pressure on farmers already struggling with rising costs." Abdul Rashid called on members of parliament to scrutinise the bill carefully and consider the long-term impact on the nation's food security and farming traditions. On Saturday, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said amendments to the Act would provide more comprehensive protection for new plant varieties.
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
130,000 padi farmers still waiting a year on for incentives
ALOR STAR: A padi farmers group has called on the government to step up its stakeholder engagement, as nearly 130,000 padi farmers are still waiting for incentives pledged a year ago. The RM210 per hectare ploughing and harvesting incentive was announced by Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu in June 2024. However, the incentive remains unpaid, despite a recent statement that the matter would be resolved by the National Food Security Special Committee. Pesawah chairman Abdul Rashid Yob said the committee had scheduled a meeting last Monday to finalise the distribution mechanism. However, a week has passed with no updates or explanation, leaving farmers in the dark. "It has been almost a year since this promise was made. "Farmers have borne higher service charges for ploughing and harvesting, with no alternative support in place following the targeted diesel subsidy rationalisation," he told the "New Straits Times" today. Rashid said farmers have raised their concerns through letters and engagement sessions, but the ministry has not offered any meaningful response. He added that the ministry has received all necessary data from farmers' organisations and the Muda Agricultural Development Authority, yet it has failed to provide any feedback on its decisions. "It always seems like a fire-fighting approach. They act only when there is noise and pressure. Farmers shouldn't have to wait this long for what was promised. "We want to know what decisions have been finalised by the committee and when farmers will see the funds disbursed," he said. He said farming machinery service providers are charging at least 30 per cent more for plowing and harvesting, due to rising fuel and operational costs. This has further compounded farmers' financial burdens. "Given these challenges, Pesawah urges the ministry to expedite the disbursement process." On June 13, the ministry said it would finalise the distribution mechanism on last Monday, has been issued since. When contacted, the minister's press secretary, Adeysham Nor, said a statement would be released soon.
New Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
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.
