Check fertiliser and pesticide prices, Government urged

Check fertiliser and pesticide prices, Government urged
Tuesday September 2, 2008

KUANTAN: While welcoming the abolishment of import duty on fertiliser and pesticides as an-nounced in Budget 2009, Cameron Highlands vegetable farmers urged the Government to monitor prices of the products.

Cameron Highlands Malay Far-mers Association chairman Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Abdul Rashid said he was worried that importers benefiting from the incentive would continue selling the items at high prices.

He said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry should monitor prices of imported fertiliser and pesticides and the association was willing to help.

The association wants fertigation fertiliser for tomatoes and strawberries to be reduced in view of the drop in fuel prices to ease the burden of farmers affected by high input and production costs, he said.

Syed Abdul Rahman, who is also Federation of Cameron Hig-hlands Farmers Associations secretary, said the price of cabbage had gone up to 95 sen per kg from 67 sen after the fuel price rise.

“We have been selling cabbage at a loss to wholesalers at 80 sen per kg,” he said.

Federation of Malaysia Vege-table Growers Associations secretary-general Chay Ee Mong said, besides ensuring prices of fertiliser and pesticides were lowered, the Government should provide incentives such as fertiliser and diesel subsidies to increase productivity.

“After 15 years, the Government listened to us and abolished the import duty on fertiliser and pesticides. We are grateful,” he said. - Bernama