Government Should Pay Farmers Directly for Fertilizer, Action Group Says

A farmers' action group chairman has proposed a direct payment system for fertilizer costs to farmers as a practical short-term solution to ongoing supply delays. Che Ani Mat Zain, chairman of the Farmers' Action Body in the MADA area, suggested the government should disburse fertilizer costs directly to farmers, enabling them to purchase supplies from available stock at local suppliers.

Mat Zain argued that this approach would bypass the protracted distribution process, ensuring farmers receive essential fertilizer inputs promptly. "I suggest for this short-term solution, the government pays the fertilizer price to the farmers. Then farmers can go buy fertilizer wherever there is available supply," he stated. He emphasized that the government should cover the necessary costs, whether through aid or subsidies, to boost crop production and prevent farmers from bearing the risks associated with delayed supplies.

“

I suggest for this short-term solution, the government pays the fertilizer price to the farmers. Then farmers can go buy fertilizer wherever there is available supply.

The group stressed the critical importance of fertilizer as a key input for crop yields, alongside soil, seeds, and water. They warned that delayed deliveries not only put farmers at risk of losing their harvests but also negatively impact their income and the nation's food security. "We cannot wait any longer. If the current distribution system takes time, give farmers the space to get the fertilizer available in the market themselves, while the government bears the costs it should bear through aid or subsidies," Mat Zain urged.

Mat Zain called for serious attention to the fertilizer supply issue, noting that the problem recurs every season, with farmers bearing the brunt of the consequences. He urged the government to address the immediate crisis while simultaneously reassessing the long-term supply and distribution system to prevent future occurrences. The issue gained prominence after farmers in the MADA area complained about delayed fertilizer deliveries, with some crops already 80 days old, well past the optimal 40-60 day window for additional compound fertilizer application.

“

We cannot wait any longer. If the current distribution system takes time, give farmers the space to get the fertilizer available in the market themselves, while the government bears the costs it should bear through aid or subsidies.