FLOODS WIPE OUT POTENTIAL OUTPUT OF 5.3 MLN RICE BAGS - ARTHUR

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has lost the potential output of 5.3 million 10-kilogramme (kg) bags of rice due to the ongoing floods, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup.

He said this loss has significantly impacted the country's rice supply.

“This year’s floods are exceptionally severe, and they are indeed affecting the supply of white rice within our nation.

“Up to this point, we have lost 5.3 million 10 kg bags of rice due to the floods affecting our country,” he said during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to an additional question from Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) about the effectiveness of initiatives carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) in addressing the shortage of white rice supplies.

Arthur further said that KPKM has set up the Padi Crop Disaster Fund to provide support to padi farmers in mitigating their flood-related losses.

“Farmers are eligible for assistance of RM1,800 per hectare for up to three hectares depending on the extent of damage incurred, in addition to a new scheme launched in October, the Agrobank’s Padi Crop Takaful Scheme, which allows farmers to apply for aid up to RM3,000 per season,” he said.

This year, the ministry has allocated RM30 million for repairs of infrastructure damaged by the floods.

To address the shortage of white rice, Arthur said KPKM has introduced four institutional and industry reforms measures and strengthened the Gelombang Padi programme.

These reforms include separating the powers and functions of padi management institutions, banning the mixing of white rice and imported rice, enhancing enforcement regulations and reinforcing the governance of the National Farmers’ Organisation (NAFAS) and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority (LPP).

All these measures will come into effect on Jan 1 next year, he said.

-- BERNAMA