NABAWAN, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- An increased allocation in rice subsidies and incentives, from RM2.46 billion this year to RM2.6 billion next year, reflects the government's determination to enhance rice and agro-food production in the country, according to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.
"Overall, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security received a 4.1 per cent increase in allocation for Budget 2025, reflecting the government's determination to enhance productivity in the agro-food sector, which will benefit the people," he said in a statement.
The statement was issued after he officiated today's meeting between leaders and rice farmers and the rice incentive presentation ceremony for Sabah interiors.
The event saw 15,000 farmers from Nabawan, Keningau, Tenom, and Tambunan receive fertiliser and pesticide assistance under the Federal Rice Fertiliser Scheme (SBPKP), the Rice Production Incentive Scheme (SIPP), and Phase 1 of the special cash aid for this year, totalling RM13 million.
Arthur stated that RM54.4 million has been disbursed to farmers in Sabah this year through the ministry's Farmers' Organisation Authority.
He said this includes the special cash aid totalling RM18.6 million for 31,028 farmers and the special assistance from Padiberas Nasional Berhad totalling RM7.3 million, benefiting 29,473 recipients.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
