Eight Cases Of Illegal Padi Seeds Detected In Kelantan – Luqman

PASIR MAS, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Eight cases involving illegal padi seeds have been detected in Kelantan so far this year, with enforcement action taken to curb their sale and protect farmers, said Padi and Rice Regulatory director-general Datuk Luqman Ahmad.

“We thank the farmers who lodged reports, enabling these illegal activities to be stopped,” he told a press conference at a rice mill in Mukim Tasek Berangan here today.

He said enforcement was also being taken against the sale of certified padi seeds above the controlled prices, set at RM52 per 20-kilogram bag at wholesale level and RM56 at retail level since April 15, 2025.

Farmers who found seeds being sold above these prices could lodge complaints with the state Padi and Rice Regulatory Office, providing the premises' details, purchase date, selling price and receipt as evidence.

In a related development, Luqman said the Kampit Putih operation in Kampung Bendang Baru, Pokok Sena, Kedah from Oct 23 to 24 resulted in the seizure of 238 bags of long-grain dried padi weighing 4.95 metric tonnes, along with processing equipment.

Conducted with the Royal Malaysia Police, the operation targeted the repackaging and sale of suspected illegal padi seeds, which could affect germination, crop uniformity and yields because they had not undergone the required certification process.

Meanwhile, Luqman said the government had no plans to introduce a uniform padi deduction rate nationwide, as deductions depended on crop quality and environmental conditions.

Factors considered included moisture content, damaged or immature padi and foreign matter. Differences could occur between areas, or even within the same area, depending on harvesting time and weather conditions.

“If we set a single rate, for example 20 per cent, when some areas have deduction rates below that level, we would effectively be penalising farmers who have worked to ensure their padi is of the best possible quality,” he said.

He said data available to his department showed that deduction rates in Pasir Mas, Kelantan and Kuala Selangor could reach 18 per cent.

Rates were generally higher at the start of the harvesting season, when some padi was not fully mature, while rainy weather could increase moisture content and affect quality assessments, he added.

Luqman said licensed padi buyers and commercial rice mills carried out grading according to established standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standards.

He encouraged farmers to attend the grading process to understand the assessment and verify deductions. His department was also prepared to provide explanations and organise area-specific courses on padi grading.

Farmers dissatisfied with grading results could lodge complaints with the state Padi and Rice Regulatory Office for further investigation and verification, he added.

-- BERNAMA