PETALING JAYA: Drought-hit padi farmers have received monetary assistance from the Padi Crop Disaster Fund.
A total of 269 padi farmers in Kota Belud, Sabah, who were affected by the drought earlier this year, have received a total of RM286,500.
In a statement by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Deputy Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the dry spell that hit Kota Belud from January to April had caused severe damage to padi crops, affecting a total area of 330.69ha.
“This is an initiative by the ministry to ease the burden faced by the padi farmers due to the disastrous drought.
“Assistance is given based on the growth stage of the damaged padi with an estimated maximum value of RM1,800 per hectare with a maximum area of 3ha.
“Moving forward, the ministry, in collaboration with Agrobank, has launched the Rice Crop Takaful Scheme in September to protect farmers from losses due to natural disasters such as floods, drought, disease and pests that often threaten padi crops.
“I urge farmers to join the scheme, which offers a maximum value of RM3,000 per hectare per season, to manage risks such as disasters,” he said in the statement on Friday.
At the handing-over event, Arthur presented machinery aid, including two harvesters and two ploughing machines worth RM880,000, which will benefit 200 farmers targeting an area of 600ha.
He said the machinery aid aligns with the ministry’s aim to modernise technology, focusing on enhancing automation and mechanisation in farm operations to boost productivity and income.“The Kota Belud district serves as the rice bowl for Sabah with a planting area exceeding 8,000ha, making it the largest padi cultivation area in the state.
“According to Sabah’s 2023 Off-Season Padi Production Survey report, Kota Belud recorded an average increase in padi yield from 3.826 metric tonnes to 5.2 metric tonnes per hectare, which is a 36% increase.
“The cultivated area has expanded from 3,418ha to 3,994ha, with a total planting area of 8,018ha across two seasons.
“The estimated income per hectare for farmers rose from RM5,440 to RM7,260, based on the padi purchase price of RM1,300 per metric tonne and the Padi Price Subsidy Scheme of RM500 per metric tonne,” he said.
Arthur expressed confidence that the increased planting area and yield would reduce dependence on imported rice.
He also congratulated the Kota Belud Integrated Agricultural Development Area (Lada) and all federal and state agencies involved for their strong commitment, hoping these efforts will continue to achieve the national self-sufficient rate target.
“The tender closed in early November for the Kota Belud Lada Complex construction. It is now at the evaluation stage, with the Letter of Acceptance expected to be issued by the end of the year,” he said.
