PUTRAJAYA — The subsidised diesel fleet card system could be extended to 17,000 agricultural machinery service providers as part of measures to keep costs low along the country’s paddy production chain.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said a proposal will be tabled to the National Economic Action Council (MTEN).
The initiative would involve a RM200 million allocation, and would cover agricultural machinery operators.
These include those who provide services that utilise machinery such as tractors, harvesters and fertiliser spreaders. These services are essential in the country’s paddy cultivation chain, he said today.
“The majority of paddy farmers rely on these agricultural service providers. Therefore, this matter will be brought to MTEN,” he told reporters after launching the Kebuniti Agriculture Information Centre or Gardentopia, here.
Mohamad said the move was proposed following an increase in operational costs, particularly diesel costs, which affected machinery service providers and, indirectly, burdened paddy farmers.
Malaysian Farmers’ Brotherhood Organisation (PeSAWAH) chairman Abdul Rashid Yob reportedly said that paddy farmers are currently struggling with rising operational costs, which have dampened their motivation to continue cultivation.
The government has been looking for various measures to assist farmers, smallholders and agri-entrepreneurs in coping with the ongoing global supply chain crisis caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired the MTEN meeting today, said the council decided to continue the Budi Agri-Komoditi cash aid to protect farmers and smallholders. The aid involves RM400 a month to help recipients offset fuel and operational costs. – May 25, 2026