Different grading systems costing farmers dearly

IPOH: The Perak Farmers Organisation (PFO) are disappointed with the authorities concerned for not acting on the appeal of the paddy farmers who are incurring losses due to the different grading system implemented.
PFO chairman Datuk Nadzri Ismail said they had taken up the issue before the harvesting season but no decision was made.
"The farmers have become victims of losses with the harvest season having begun in some areas," he said, adding that the Agriculture and Agro based Industries Ministry and the Cabinet should seriously look into the plight of farmers and review the grading system and price reduction.
After the harvesting season started in Gunung Semanggol and Selinsing, the quality grading and purchasing formula had gone up as high as from 26% to 60% for each metric tonne compared to 16% to 18% previously.
Nadzri urged the ministry to come out with a uniformed system for grading of paddy at all rice mills.
The state organisation has 102,399 members of whom 17,652 are paddy farmers.