FARMERS have hailed the Padi Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) rate hike from RM360 per tonne to RM500 per tonne, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.

A farmer in Selangor, Jamaludin Hamsan, 44, said he is grateful for the initiative because rice yield is uncertain.

“When the harvest is uncertain, the profit will not be large, and all costs have increased, including the rental of machinery. Not all farmers can afford to own their own machinery because it is expensive, so renting is the way to go,” he told Bernama.

However, he hopes the subsidy rate hike will not result in suppliers raising the prices of pesticide and fertiliser.

“I request that the authorities constantly monitor the market so no one takes the opportunity to hike pesticide prices, wages or machinery rent,” he said.

Saipo Bahri Sahlan, 62, said the announcement was timely because rice farmers are being affected by price rises for agricultural inputs like fertiliser and pesticide.

He said with the rate hike, farmers’ incomes can grow by 10 to 15%.

“Our income depends on the season, so at least we can buy fertiliser or cover family expenses,” Saipo said.

Tan Hong Nin, 57, said the initiative is necessary as profit obtained from rice crops is not sufficient.

“This help is really needed by the rice farmers because the cost for us to work the fields itself is already high. It includes renting rice machines, tractors, paying for pesticides and other costs.

“Not to say that we make a loss, but the profit obtained is not much. It depends on (the production of) rice,” he said. – Bernama, August 9, 2023.