ALOR SETAR: Padi farmers across the country have benefited from RM56.92mil in payouts under the Paddy Crop Takaful Scheme (STTP) since 2024, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic).
The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said RM12.36mil in STTP benefits was paid out in Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) areas in 2024, followed by RM5.06mil in 2025.
“As of Sunday, RM2.42mil in STTP benefits is being disbursed in stages to 541 padi farmers in Mada areas, while additional benefits amounting to RM423,930 are undergoing assessment and verification,” he said at the 2026 Kedah padi farmers engagement programme yesterday, Bernama reported.
He said another RM5.12mil had been disbursed since October to 1,000 padi farmers outside Mada areas under the Kedah State Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP), with payments credited directly to recipients to help them prepare for the next planting season.
The scheme offers maximum coverage of up to RM3,000 per hectare per season.
He also urged padi farmers who had yet to register for STTP to do so promptly through their respective PPKs to safeguard their livelihoods and ensure a more sustainable future for the padi industry.
Meanwhile, Mohamad said efforts to strengthen the country’s padi production also focused on soil fertility, which is fundamental to the effectiveness of agricultural inputs.
The government had allocated RM20mil under Budget 2026 for the supply of foliar fertilisers and soil fertility materials involving Mada, the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) and the Kerian Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA Kerian).
Agrobank Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ahmad Badli Shah Raja Hussin, who was also present, said appropriate financial protection was important in helping padi farmers cope with risks that could affect their livelihoods.
He said the implementation of STTP in Mada areas had also contributed to the opening of more than 22,000 Agrobank accounts, expanding farmers’ access to formal financial services and facilitating the direct disbursement of benefits.
