Kuala lumpur: The Dewan Rakyat was informed today that enforcement against the growing number of foreigners working in paddy fields is challenging due to their land rental agreements being undocumented. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu highlighted that landowners often opt to hire or permit foreign workers for various agricultural tasks, including sowing and cultivating cash crops.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the absence of formal documentation complicates efforts by authorities to verify rental statuses or determine if land-use conditions are being violated. Mohamad Sabu emphasized the need for a structured governance approach and inter-ministerial cooperation to manage the influx of foreign nationals in the agricultural sector. He addressed this issue during the Minister's Question Time in response to Capt (Rtd) Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi's inquiry about the ministry's strategies to tackle low rice production and the resulting increase in foreign workers on paddy fields.

Additionally, Mohamad Sabu revealed that the government is conducting engagement sessions with stakeholders to assess potential amendments to the Protection of New Plant Varieties Act 2004 and the possibility of joining the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants 1991 Convention (UPOV 1991). He assured that any policy decisions would be made with broad consensus, particularly considering the concerns of paddy farmers about the impact on their traditional practices of saving and sharing seeds.

In response to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan regarding UPOV 1991, Mohamad Sabu noted ongoing evaluations of issues raised, especially regarding seed quality. He pointed out that while individual seed production can lead to inconsistent yields, institutions like the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) have developed seed varieties known for higher yields.