Paddy Assistance Scheme Benefits Companies More Than Farmers – Sanusi
ALOR SETAR: The paddy cultivation assistance scheme, which is supposed to be a lifeline for farmers, is claimed to benefit agricultural input supply companies more than the farmers themselves.
Kedah Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md. Nor, said this issue should be among the aspects investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) regarding the delay in the supply of Fertiliser 3 to farmers in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) area.
According to him, problems related to fertiliser, seeds and pesticides are not new, but have been recurring for a long time, even though the government has spent a large amount of allocations to assist the paddy cultivation sector.
“Ultimately, those who benefit from this paddy cultivation assistance scheme are the companies, not the farmers.
“Farmers don’t even see the money (subsidy). It goes straight to fertiliser, straight to pesticides, straight to tractors. It passes through directly, never even entering our (farmers’) pockets,” he said after launching the Kedah State Premier Student Service Programme 2026 today.
Muhammad Sanusi said this situation raises the question of whether the existing assistance mechanism is truly achieving its original goal of improving the welfare and income of farmers.
He said the MACC investigation should not only focus on the delay of a single supply or contract, but must look at the entire system of subsidy management and agricultural input assistance.
“Investigate thoroughly. Look into it carefully. Even if there are no arrests, at least provide guidance, offer improvements. What is MACC’s view on how to improve this system?
“Thank you to the Prime Minister for responding immediately. Ensure that the benefits of this government subsidy scheme reach the farmers, not the traders, not the entrepreneurs or companies,” he said.
He said the fertiliser delay issue must also be viewed in a broader context because agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, seeds and pesticides have a direct impact on crop yields and farmers’ income.
According to him, failure to manage supply when needed can cause farmers to suffer losses, while those who are supposed to ensure the system functions do not face the same consequences.
Muhammad Sanusi also suggested that the assistance distribution mechanism be reviewed to ensure that its benefits reach farmers according to actual field needs.
He said farmers’ views should be taken into consideration when formulating assistance distribution methods, as they better understand the operational needs of paddy cultivation, including the timing and types of inputs required.
“If you sit down with farmers, I think they understand better than those who control the industry. Where to buy fertiliser, where to source seeds, when to buy them, which month. They understand better,” he said.
Utusan Malaysia