{
  "id": 6061099,
  "title": "Padi farmers demand answers over fertiliser supply delays [WATCH]",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/padi-farmers-demand-answers-over-fertiliser-supply-delays-watch",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T23:02:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1527207/padi-farmers-demand-answers-over-fertiliser-supply-delays-watch"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation has called for a thorough investigation into delays in the delivery of subsidised fertiliser to padi farmers. Chairman Abdul Rashid Yob demanded answers about who was responsible and if there were flaws in the procurement and supply process. Farmers had previously raised concerns about the fertiliser supply to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry. The chairman highlighted that the procurement board followed a merit system during evaluation, but discrepancies arose when the matter reached the ministry.\n\nThe issue specifically concerns the delayed supply of Additional Padi Compound Fertiliser 3 (Baja 3) to farmers in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) region. The contract for supplying Baja 3 was terminated on August 27 due to the delays. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that Malaysian NPK Fertiliser Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the National Farmers' Organisation, would assume responsibility for the remaining supply to affected farmers. This new supply was set to begin on September 3, with the entire process planned to be completed within ten days.\n\nMada was directed to monitor the deliveries until all affected farmers received the fertiliser. However, the Mada spokesperson informed the New Straits Times that the current focus was on delivering fertiliser to areas yet to receive their supplies. Despite the fact that 40,000 out of 60,000 padi farmers in the Mada area had not yet received Baja 3, there were concerns that the delay could negatively impact this season's padi yields. Rashid emphasized that the delay was not due to weather or other factors but rather a human factor, which they deeply regretted.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation into delays in the supply of subsidised fertiliser to padi farmers must determine who was responsible and whether there were weaknesses in the procurement and supply process.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}