NABAWAN: The Federal Government allocated RM50 million for hill padi subsidies in Sabah and Sarawak.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the Federal Cabinet had approved the allocation to increase hill padi production.
He said the allocation was to finance the needs of hill padi farmers such as fertilisers, weed killers and pesticides.
Arthur, who is also Pensiangan MP, was speaking at the Leader with Nabawan Farmers meet and breaking the fast ceremony at the Nabawan Area Farmers’ Organisation (PPK), here, recently.
Arthur also presented the Padi Crop Disaster Fund (TBTP) assistance amounting to approximately RM20,000 to 31 rice farmers who were affected by the drought.
He said the Government always takes seriously issues and disasters beyond human control that have a negative impact on the agro-food sector, especially on the country’s padi and rice sub-sectors.
He said the TBTP assistance reflected the Government’s concern in ensuring that padi farmers affected by natural disasters could continue to survive.
At the same event, Arthur also delivered food baskets to 30 asnaf in Nabawan.
Sabah State Farmers’ Organisation (PPN) Director Hardriyani Ahmad, Nabawan PPK General Manager Jufry Haji Jubal as well as heads of departments and community leaders were also present.
