OVER 4,000 MADA FARMERS AFFECTED BY FLOODS RECEIVE PM'S ASSISTANCE

ALOR SETAR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- A total of 4,233 paddy farmers in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) area in the state, who were affected by the floods in September, have received a contribution of RM4.23 million from the Prime Minister.

MADA chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said each farmer received RM1,000 to help offset their losses and support the cultivation of paddy for the next planting season.

“The affected farmers, who have been listed and approved by the committee, include 4,233 individuals, with the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) agreeing to provide RM1,000 per person,” he explained.

“Out of our 27 area farmers’ organisations (PPKs), 21 were impacted, with total losses exceeding RM29.43 million,” he told reporters today.

Earlier, he attended the presentation of the Prime Minister’s assistance to the paddy farmers affected by the Kedah phase 1 flood disaster, which was handed over by Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is also co-chairman of the Kedah Development Action Council.

Ismail added that, in addition to the Prime Minister’s assistance, MADA will also provide aid through the Paddy Crop Disaster Fund (TBTP) to assist the affected farmers.

He explained that the application for the TBTP aid distribution has already been submitted to the ministry, and is now in the final stage of approval before being disbursed to eligible recipients.

“With the funds from the Prime Minister’s contribution, alongside the TBTP assistance which will follow shortly, insya-Allah, we hope to ease the burden on our farmers, as they work to prepare their paddy fields for the upcoming season,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of the aid recipients, Aziz Hussein, 57, expressed his gratitude for the assistance, which has provided some relief for his paddy crop in the second season.

“My 1.43 hectares of paddy were severely affected by the recent flood, and without any capital recovery, I had to invest additional funds to cover the loss,” he said.

Similarly, Awang Isa Fatardin, 64, also expressed appreciation for the government’s swift action in providing immediate relief, which helped alleviate the challenges faced by farmers, who are increasingly burdened by the rising costs of paddy cultivation.

“If possible, I suggest upgrading the drainage systems in paddy cultivation areas, to better assist farmers. During the recent flood, the rice fields were submerged for 20 to 30 days, instead of just a day or two, because the drainage systems were blocked. This prolonged flooding caused significant damage to the crops,” he said.

--BERNAMA