License suspension warning for overpriced certified rice seeds

PUTRAJAYA - Producers, wholesalers, and retailers may face license suspension if found selling certified rice seeds above the maximum price.

The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFS) has informed that producers or wholesalers must ensure that the sale of certified rice seeds does not exceed the allocated quota.

"The price sold to retailers must not exceed the maximum price set, which is RM31 per 20kg bag for seed sales at the factory gate, while the maximum price is RM32 per 20kg bag including transportation," the ministry said in a statement today.

MAFS mentioned that the sale of certified rice seeds at the retail level to farmers should not exceed the maximum price of RM35 per 20kg bag.

"Failure to comply with this directive and adhere to the Paddy and Rice Control Act 1994 [Act 522], the ministry, through the authority of the Paddy and Rice Control Director-General, has the right to cancel or suspend any issued licences," MAFS said.

MAFS also stressed that the supply of certified rice seeds is only issued by government-appointed producers.

It follows a control mechanism over the production and marketing of certified rice seeds as stipulated in the Director-General of Paddy and Rice Control Permanent Order No. 1/2021: Government Control Over the Production and Marketing of Seeds, effective from November 11th 2021.