ALOR STAR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar today pledged to allocate RM3 billion to improve the production of padi yield in Kedah.
This, he said was part of the Madani government’s efforts to increase the monthly income of farmers and achieve national food security.
“We are committed to fulfilling the wishes of farmers to upgrade the current padi irrigation system and infrastructure.
“This involves 201,000haof padi fields under the Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) in the next three to four years,” he said in his speech at the “Sentuhan Madani” gathering at the Mada headquarters in Ampang Jajar here.
The gathering was with farmers, breeders, rubber smallholders and rubber tappers.
Anwar said he wanted to raise farmers’ monthly incomes from RM1,200 to RM1,800.
“There is an ongoing pilot project by Mada. Since it has been successful, we can expand it and help increase farmers’ income through this project,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, and Mada chairman Datuk Ismail Salleh.
Anwar also said that Padiberas Nasional Bhd would help the Agriculture Ministry and its agencies make the project a success.
The prime minister also said the government was committed to improving the livelihoods of all farmers, fishermen, and rubber smallholders in the country.
He said under the 2023 budget, the Madani government had allocated RM1.6 billion for padi farming subsidies and incentives. – The Vibes, July 15, 2023
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