S’wak ministry initiates several programmes to aid farmers affected by disasters

KUCHING (Nov 15): Several programmes have been initiated by the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development to assist farmers affected by agricultural disasters.

The deputy minister Datuk Martin Ben highlighted two key relief funds that have been implemented to ease the financial strain on farmers facing crop and livestock losses due to disasters – the Agricultural Disaster Fund (TBP) and Paddy Crop Disaster Fund (TBTP).

“TBP focuses on the agrofood sector, which offers assistance to those impacted by agricultural disasters including floods.

“It covers all affected groups including farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, farmers’ organisations, agri-food marketers, aquaculture operators, agrotourism entrepreneurs, associations or cooperatives registered with the relevant departments and agencies.

“TBTP is also implemented to help paddy farmers by providing relief for those impacted by disasters during the planting season,” he said when responding to Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus at the august House here today.

When asked supplementary questions, Martin said that under TBP, non-monetary assistance is provided which includes agricultural inputs and equipment, valued according to a set rate.

“For TBTP, financial aid is provided to a maximum of 3 hectares per farmer, with cash aid of RM1,800 per hectare for paddy yield losses.

“Additional assistance of RM876 per hectare, meanwhile, is offered for paddy replanting and damages caused by drought.

“For paddy crop inputs, the amount of aid is determined based on recommendations from the federal technical committee,” he added.