Disbanding Bernas not the solution, says Padi Rescue

KUALA LUMPUR: Ending the monopoly enjoyed by Padibernas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) will not solve the deep seated problems faced by paddy farmers, said Padi Rescue coordinator Norfitri Amir Muhammad.
He said by appointing more companies to oversee rice imports, the government is not solving the problem and may result in more foreign rice being imported into the country and it may allow these companies to form a cartel.
"There is an urgent need to revamp the whole system because of issues faced by farmers whilst urgently looking for a sustainable solution that will help improve the lives of the farmers," he said in response to the proposal by Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub to terminate Bernas' rice import monopoly.
He pointed out that paddy farmers form an important part of the nation's food security and they at the moment only produce about 70% of the nation's needs.
Norfitri said the government needs to urgently look into modern technology and other means to help the farmers produce higher yields.
"The government has been providing subsides of about RM2 billion a year, about RM2,000 per farmer, and this money goes to companies that have been given contracts to provide pesticide, seeds, fertiliser and other things.
"The sad part is that the government is spending so much of money but there have been times that some of the products have been below expectations," he said.
He added that some products such as pesticide cost about RM90 a bottle here whilst the same item costs around RM40 in Thailand and can be used more than three times than the local product.
Norfitri urged the government to take a closer look at the subsidy programme and the companies involved to see whether they meet the necessary standards.
He said one of the main ways of dealing with farmers' issues is to directly engage them or their representatives.
He also called on the government to re-instate the disbanded National Rice and Padi Board (LPN), which would not act like a commercial body which must be supervised by those who are not commercially-motivated and helps farmers, millers, wholesalers and consumers to ensure food security," he said.