PUTRAJAYA – The Farmers’ Organisation Authority (FAO) is reviewing the list of padi farmers who are eligible for Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) special assistance, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry said in a statement.
It said the FAO as the agency processing the payment is studying the list based on the standard operating procedures set to ensure the disbursement of funds runs smoothly.
The ministry said the special allocation which would be distributed in phases beginning with the three east coast states namely Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang involved a total of 20,598 farmers.
“Farmers from the other states will receive theirs when the balance amounting to RM50 million is disbursed in early 2023.
“It is estimated that a total of 240,000 padi farmers nationwide will benefit from Bernas’ contribution, which in total amounts to RM60 million,” the statement read.
The ministry said the government was giving this special incentive to padi farmers through Bernas to help ease their cost of living, in addition to the existing input- and output-based subsidies.
Earlier, Bernas agreed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s request that an allocation of RM60 million be provided to help padi farmers nationwide.
On December 31, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu said a total of 20,598 padi farmers in the east coast stand to benefit from Bernas contribution of RM250 for each farmer which would be distributed no later than January 16. – Bernama, January 4, 2023
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