ALOR SETAR: Farmers in Kedah have expressed confidence in the government’s efforts and commitment to eradicating hardcore poverty in the country.
The farmers view agriculture as a sector that enables them to increase their income and rise out of poverty – with government support and assistance.
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 about two relong of land. With the government’s help, I now have a little over six relong of corn farm,” he told Bernama.
A relong is a unit of land measurement used in Kedah. It is equal to 0.41ha, roughly the size of a football field.
In April, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was determined to eradicate hardcore poverty still plaguing certain groups of people in the country.
Khairul Anuar said he has about 45,000 corn plants now and can 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 has received aid in fertilisers, pesticides and pipes for irrigation infrastructure from the Agriculture Department and is now waiting for the water pump motors and pipes that 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 life had improved significantly with about an 80% rise in income after going into agriculture full-time.
“I only worked 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 of padi fields.
He attributed his success to the government’s support and guidance on the efficient and effective management of padi fields, particularly Mada, which provided subsidised fertiliser and pesticides.
“I welcome the current government’s efforts, 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 padi within two years as it would increase the income of small-scale farmers.
“I started right at the bottom, I know how hard it is to be a farmer. That is why new farmers need the government’s help,” he said.
Mada general manager Kamarudin Dahuli said the agency is serious in its commitment to helping improve the standard of living of the hardcore poor and poor under its jurisdiction, in line with the Prime Minister’s aspirations.
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.
