ALOR SETAR: Farmers in Kedah expressed confidence in the efforts of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government, primarily its commitment to eradicate hardcore poverty in the country.
The farmers met by Bernama view agriculture as a sector that enables them to increase family income and rise out of poverty with the support and assistance of the government.
Khairul Anuar Hanafi, 36, a maize farmer in Kampung Kepala Bukit near Jitra since 2017, said government assistance is critical in helping farmers improve their standard of living.
"I started this corn plantation on approximately two 'relong' (0.6ha) of land. With the help from the government, I now have a little over six 'relong' (1.7ha) of corn,” he told Bernama recently.
In April, the media reported that the Prime Minister was determined to eradicate hardcore poverty that is still plaguing certain groups of people in the country.
Khairul Anuar said he has about 45,000 corn plants now and is able to save money, in contrast to when he was a mechanic, and he also plans to increase his income by diversifying into planting brinjal in other locations.
He said he received aid in the form of fertilisers, pesticides and pipes for irrigation infrastructure from the Agriculture Department and is now waiting for the water pump motors and pipes, which he applied for from the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).
Meanwhile, a padi farmer of 12 years from Kampung Teluk Tawar near Yan, Mohammad Hafidz Ismail, 39, said his standard of living has improved significantly with about an 80% rise in income after going into agriculture full-time.
"I used to only work for wages on other people's padi fields. Then I became interested in having my own padi field and I started with two relong of land at first," said Mohammad Hafidz, who now cultivates 41 relong (11.8ha) of paddy fields.
Mohammad Hafidz attributed his success to the support and guidance on the efficient and effective management of paddy field from the government, particularly Mada, which provided subsidised fertiliser and pesticides.
"I really welcome the current government's efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty in our country, and if we get into agriculture 100% I believe we can climb out of poverty,” he said.
He also welcomed the government’s initiative to cultivate five seasons of paddy within two years as it would increase the income of small-scale padi farmers.
"I started right at the bottom, I know how hard it is to be a farmer. That is why new farmers really need the government’s help,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mada general manager Kamarudin Dahuli said that it is serious in its commitment to help improve the standard of living of the hardcore poor and poor within its jurisdiction, in line with the Prime Minister's aspiration.
"We have a list of the hardcore poor and the poor. Based on the names identified, we have plans to conduct various programmes, such as under the Economy Ministry, to benefit these target groups,” he said.
Kamarudin said Mada will also highlight the success of farmers, categorised as padi entrepreneurs in Kedah, such as Mohammad Hafidz to act as mentors to the poor and to inspire others to follow suit. - Bernama
