PENDANG: The Farmers' Organisation Authority (LPP) has reiterated its call for the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to review the quota of certified padi seeds allocated to the private sector to prevent future supply crises.
Its chairman, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, said certified padi seed production would remain sufficient for future planting seasons if government agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs) were given the quota to operate at full capacity.
He said LPP had made provisions to ensure a sufficient supply of certified padi seeds while adhering to the government's ceiling price.
"This is what happens when government agencies or GLCs are given the opportunity. We (LPP) ensure a sufficient supply of certified padi seeds while sticking to the set prices.
"If all seed plants owned by government agencies, including those under Felcra, Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada), and Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) were given quotas to operate at full capacity, we could control more than 50 per cent of domestic padi seed production.
"God willing, the supply of certified padi seeds for the coming planting seasons will be adequate. We hope there will be no future crises over seed supply and pricing," he said after launching the distribution of MR269 padi seeds at LPP's Accredited Padi Seeds Plant in Kubur Panjang today.
In November last year, Mahfuz called on the ministry to adjust quota distribution according to the maximum production capacity of the four government agencies involved in the supply chain.
He argued it would be illogical for the government not to fully use the agencies' capabilities after spending between RM9 million and RM10 million to upgrade each agency's padi seed production capacity.
Meanwhile, Mahfuz said today's launch included the distribution of 808 20kg packs of certified padi seeds, produced by LPP, to three padi seed farms.
"We are optimistic about producing 159,500 bags of certified padi seeds for the first and second planting seasons of 2025. This quantity will be sufficient for 22,800ha of padi fields.
"The initial delivery consists 880 bags, distributed to three seed farms under the Farmers' Organisation Area (PPK) including Sungai Besar PPK in Selangor, Merbok PPK in Kedah and Padang Siding PPK in Perlis," he added.
He said LPP's Accredited Padi Seeds Plant in Kubur Panjang received an allocation of RM9.26 million from the agency for machinery and infrastructure.
"The processing capacity here is 5,000 tonnes per year. The centre will ensure that the padi seeds delivered to farmers are of high quality and meet all standards."