He said prices have risen since four months ago and the reality is that the country is dependent on imported animal feed.

“We don’t produce enough corn to use as animal feed. If it is imported we can’t control the price,” he told reporters after giving out bubur lambuk at his ministry.

The media recently reported that chicken prices have skyrocketed and among the causes was soya and corn meal that comes mostly from Argentina and Brazil.

However, from tomorrow until May 20, the government has set the ceiling price for a standard chicken at RM7.90 per kg under the festive season maximum price scheme for Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2021, Kiandee said.

On the failure of the National Farmers’ Organisation (Nafas) to provide certified rice seeds to Kedah farmers, he said that it was due to a shortage of the variety they want.

He said efforts are underway to provide a different variety and that the issue won’t disrupt the planting season.

He is confident Nafas is taking steps to solve the problem being faced by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority farmers.