Water damage: The wet weather has wreaked havoc on padi fields, causing millions in losses. — Bernama
THE potential output of 5.3 million 10kg bags of rice were lost due to the ongoing floods, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup said the losses have significantly impacted the country’s rice supply.
“This year’s floods are exceptionally severe. Up to this point, we have lost 5.3 million 10kg bags of rice due to the floods,” he said to a question from Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut).
Che Mohamad Zulkifly had asked on the effectiveness of initiatives carried out by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry in addressing the shortage of white rice supplies.
Arthur further said the ministry has set up the Padi Crop Disaster Fund to provide support to farmers in mitigating their flood-related losses.
“Farmers are eligible for assistance of RM1,800 per hectare for up to three hectares depending on the extent of damage incurred.
“This is in addition to a new scheme launched in October, the Agrobank’s Padi Crop takaful scheme, which allows farmers to apply for aid up to RM3,000 per season,” he said.
This year, the ministry has allocated RM30mil for repairs of infrastructure damaged by the floods.
To address the shortage of white rice, Arthur said the ministry has introduced four institutional and industry reform measures and strengthened the Gelombang Padi programme.
This includes separating the powers and functions of padi management institutions, banning the mixing of white rice and imported rice as well as enhancing enforcement regulations, among others.
All these measures will come into effect on Jan 1 next year, he said.
