Drought-hit Kota Belud padi farmers receive aid

KOTA BELUD (Nov 15): A total of 269 padi farmers in Kota Belud who were affected by drought, have received RM286,500 assistance from the Tabung Bencana Tanaman Padi (TBTP).

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, the drought that hit Kota Belud from January to April this year caused severe damage to paddy crops, affecting a total area of 330.69 hectares.

He disclosed that the allocation is an initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to alleviate the burden faced by farmers due to the disaster.

Assistance, he said, is provided based on the growth stage of the damaged paddy plants, with a maximum estimated value of RM1,800 per hectare for up to three hectares.

Moving forward, the ministry, in collaboration with Agrobank, launched the Skim Takaful Tanaman Padi last September to protect farmers from losses due to natural disasters such as floods, drought, disease outbreaks, and pests that often threaten padi crops.

He urged farmers to join the takaful scheme, which offers a maximum value of RM3,000 per hectare per season to manage the risks faced by farmers exposed to disaster threats, with better compensation rates, subject to terms and conditions.

During the event, Arthur also presented machinery aid, including two harvesters and two plowing machines worth RM880,000, which will benefit 200 farmers targeting an area of 600 hectares.

The machinery aid aligns with the ministry’s aim to modernize technology, focusing on enhancing automation and mechanization in farm operations to boost productivity and farmers’ incomes.

Kota Belud District serves as the rice bowl for Sabah, with a planting area exceeding 8,000 hectares, making it the largest paddy cultivation area in the state.

According to the 2023 Off-Season Paddy Production Survey (CCS) Report for Sabah, Kota Belud recorded an average increase in paddy yield from 3.826 metric tons per hectare to 5.2 metric tons per hectare, a 36% increase. Additionally, the cultivated area expanded from 3,418 hectares to 3,994 hectares, with a total planting area of 8,018 hectares across two seasons.

Furthermore, the estimated income per hectare for farmers rose from RM5,440 to RM7,260, based on the paddy purchase price of RM1,300 per metric ton and the Paddy Price Subsidy Scheme (SSHP) of RM500 per metric ton.

He expressed confidence that the increased planting area and yield would reduce dependence on imported rice. Arthur also congratulated IADA Kota Belud and all federal and state agencies involved for their strong commitment, hoping these efforts will continue to achieve the national SSR target.

Commenting on the latest status of the IADA Kota Belud Complex construction, he stated that the tender closed in early November and is currently undergoing the evaluation stage, with the Letter of Acceptance (SST) expected to be issued by the end of the year.