Seed law to be tabled in parliament next year
He said the process of drafting the bill was still at the engagement stage to gather feedback from industry players before being finalised to ensure that farmers' rights to quality seed supplies were protected.
"This act is a good initiative to ensure that farmers only purchase quality seeds, as currently, they have no proper channel to lodge a complaint if they get seeds that are of poor quality or not as specified.
"So far, we do not have a specific act that allows us to act against those selling poor-quality seeds," he told a press conference after the opening of the Department of Agriculture's Plant Subsector Development Symposium 2025 here today.
Also present was Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Earlier, in his speech at the event, Mohamad said the government was streamlining laws related to seeds to prevent farmers from being deceived or incurring losses from fake or poor-quality seeds.
"Although some farmers have raised concerns over this seed law, rest assured that the changes are not meant to pressure them, but rather to protect and safeguard their interests, in line with the ministry's ongoing efforts," he said.–BERNAMA
Nation Apr 11, 2025 @ 9:31pm
Padi farmers urge price cut for subsidised seeds ahead of new season
Nation Apr 17, 2025 @ 1:35am
Govt addressing padi seed pricing concerns - Mohamad Sabu
Nation Mar 1, 2025 @ 4:30am
Farmers laud PM's call to improve subsidised padi seeds quality
Nation May 6, 2025 @ 3:27am
Perak certified padi seed centre to produce 5,000 metric tonnes annually
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Fly the Jalur Gemilang event held at Parliament building ahead of National Day
KUALA LUMPUR: A National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang programme was held at the main lobby of Parliament on Tuesday (Aug 19) in conjunction with the upcoming 68th National Day celebration. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi launched the programme. Ahmad Zahid also presented the Jalur Gemilang to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul as a symbolic gesture on behalf of the Malaysian Parliament. The event was enlivened by patriotic and independence-themed songs performed by the Seri Puteri Symphonic Winds Orchestra (SPWinds), accompanied by the waving of Jalur Gemilang by guests in attendance. Among the attendees were the Prime Minister's wife and Bandar Tun Razak MP, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and Dewan Negara President Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah. Also present were National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, as well as deputy ministers and Members of Parliament.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Johari Ghani: Biosafety Act amendments set for mid-2026
KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the Biosafety Act 2007 are expected to be tabled for the first reading in Parliament as early as mid-2026, said acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Johari said a review and amendment of the Act was needed to ensure its continued relevance, taking into account current developments in biotechnology. He said the amendments would be comprehensive and effective in protecting human, plant, and animal health, the environment, and biodiversity, adding that the ministry would consider views and feedback from relevant stakeholders. The minister was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian), who asked about the timeline for amending the Act and whether Malaysia's biosafety policy could regulate new technologies such as CRISPR, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), and industrial biotechnology. Johari said Malaysia has the capability to regulate and adapt to new technologies, based on its existing policy framework, which includes legislation, technical standards, and an organised institutional framework. He said Malaysia has been a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity since 1994 and a member of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety since 2003. This commitment allows the country to stay abreast of current developments and technical discussions related to modern biotechnology. Johari said the Act is also crucial to ensure that GMO crops or products entering the market are safe for humans and the environment. He added that his ministry has taken proactive steps to develop enforcement strategies and implement the Act through collaboration with nine enforcement agencies. The Department of Biosafety is also involved in capacity building to understand issues related to genetic editing technologies, in collaboration with experts from countries with applicable procedures, such as Argentina and the Philippines.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Kelantan poised as major local onion producer by 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) believes Kelantan could emerge as a leading local onion producer by next year. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu highlighted the state's soil suitability for onion farming, backed by encouraging trial results. A RM6 million allocation has been approved for the Onion Cultivation Development Project in Selangor, Perak, and Kelantan, involving 80 participants across 94.85 hectares. Kelantan's first harvest at Telong Food Production Park in Bachok yielded 18.4 tonnes from 4.6 hectares using BAW-1 and BAW-2 varieties. Mohamad noted the high production rate of four tonnes per hectare as a positive indicator for future output. He expressed confidence that Kelantan's fertile land could position it as a primary onion supplier, reducing import dependency. Production cost comparisons between local and imported onions remain under study, with variations due to cultivation methods like greenhouse farming. The government aims to cut onion imports by 30% through expanded local production and seed distribution next year. Mohamad emphasised the need for further data but remained optimistic about achieving significant import savings. - Bernama
