ALOR SETAR, Aug 22 — The Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP) has called on the government to consider extending the diesel subsidy scheme to include agricultural machinery to alleviate the financial burden on farmers.
Its chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar said this measure must be implemented promptly, especially for rice harvesting machinery, as the harvesting season is set to begin early next month.
“I hope the government can make a swift decision on this matter. Otherwise, we could face another shortage of local rice in the market.
“The new rental rate is too high, and the government should include agricultural machinery, such as harvesters and ploughs, in the diesel subsidy scheme,” he told reporters after the Fly the Jalur Gemilang programme at Masjid An Nur here today.
Farmers have expressed concern over the planned increase in rice harvester rental rates to RM200 per plot (0.3ha) from around RM140 previously.
Mahfuz said LPP, which operates its harvesting machinery through the state farmers’ organisation engineering division, is also impacted by rising costs.
“Although we are a government agency, we are affected too. But we believe the government is willing to listen to farmers’ grievances. Private operators should not raise the rental rates too high that further burden the farmers,” he said.
He also said LPP has been tasked by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to prepare a working paper on the cost issues faced by all stakeholders involved in rice cultivation.
“This is all part of the government’s efforts to reassess measures that can assist padi farmers,” he said.
— Bernama
