PUTRAJAYA: A total of 5,822.59ha of padi fields in northern states have been affected by floods, with estimated loss of RM32mil in rice yields.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that the ministry would provide post-disaster assistance to affected farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen.
Padi farmers will receive aid via the Padi Crop Disaster Fund (TBTP), while the Agricultural Disaster Fund (TBP) will support those involved in other agro-food activities.
"In addition to the assistance, AgroBank has announced a moratorium on payments for its customers impacted by the current floods.
"Affected farmers, breeders, fishermen and entrepreneurs can apply for this relief at their nearest AgroBank branch," he said in a statement on Saturday (Sept 21).
Mohamad said that the ministry's disaster operations rooms at both district and state level are monitoring weather conditions, issuing early warnings to target groups and implementing mitigation plans to minimise losses in the country's agro-food sector.
He said that the ministry had also instructed KPKM Inc. to liaise with district disaster management committees and state disaster management committees to ensure information regarding flood disaster coordination is always updated and delivered to target groups, especially in at-risk areas.
He added that the ministry is also ready to mobilise assets to help rescue efforts during floods, if necessary, with permission from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma). – Bernama
