MADA fertilizer supply shortage and yield decline

The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) faced significant supply shortages of ‘Baja Padi 3’ compound fertilizer, with only 22% of the required 616,015 bags received by mid-August. This deficit threatened rice yields for approximately 38,000 paddy farmers across 78,117 hectares.

By early September, the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security intervened to resolve the delays. Minister Mohamad Sabu announced the termination of Taveekun Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. due to the supply issues. To rectify the shortage, Malaysian NPK Fertilizer Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of the National Farmers Organization (NAFAS), was tasked with completing deliveries. NAFAS prepared 14,000 metric tons of fertilizer for phased distribution, aiming to reach affected farmers within a 10-day window.

Despite these interventions, delays in fertilizer supplies have led to a decline in paddy yields. Aswadil Khairi Che Omar, Chairman of the MADA Young Farmers Association, attributed these delays to ‘human factors’ rather than weather or natural disasters.

Farmers have expressed support for a directive from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM) to investigate the matter, with calls for a detailed probe to identify those responsible for the supply failures. Additionally, Aswadil Khairi urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to review supply mechanisms and take immediate action against companies that fail to meet contractual obligations, noting that irregular planting schedules severely impact crop weight and farmer income.