TUMPAT: The agriculture sector in Kelantan sustained estimated losses amounting to RM10mil, including infrastructure damage, following the first wave of floods that hit late last month.
Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) chairman Khalid Samad revealed that the affected districts include Kota Baru Utara, Kota Baru Selatan, Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Pasir Mas and Tumpat.
He stated that 696ha of the affected farmland were covered by takaful (insurance) subscribed by farmers, while 981ha remained uninsured.
"Most of the affected padi fields are insured as we had encouraged farmers to register. According to our records, 696ha are insured, while 981ha were not registered in time.
"The insurance covers crops that are less than 70 days old, and compensation of RM2,250 per hectare will be provided, while those without takaful coverage will receive aid through the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s disaster relief fund,” he said during KADA’s outreach programme in Kampung Talak on Thursday (Dec 5).
Khalid added that assistance for uninsured farmers would be processed as swiftly as possible, with disbursement to be made before the month Ramadan, at the latest.
"To obtain full details regarding those involved, we need to visit the affected areas, which can only be finalised after the flood has completely receded.
"It may take two to three months before aid applications are submitted to the Ministry,” he said.
Meanwhile, farmer Eh Nong Eh Dam, 46, from Bendang Pauh in Tumpat, reported losses of nearly RM30,000 as 8.1ha of his padi fields were submerged and could not be harvested.
"This is the most significant loss I’ve faced in over 20 years as a farmer, including damage to equipment like water pumps, engines, and seeds, even though I have placed them on higher ground, more than 1m high,” he said.
"I hope that both my plight and that of nearly 200 other rice farmers in Tumpat will receive attention from the state government and the relevant ministries, and they will provide suitable aid to ease our burden,” he said. – Bernama
