KPKM Allocates Over RM20 Mln To KADA This Year – Mohamad Sabu

KOTA BHARU, March 6 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) has allocated RM20.55 million for several strategic projects to the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) under the 13th Malaysia Plan (MP13) this year.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said among the projects is the upgrading of the Kemubu and Kasa pump stations, the mechanical pump system, as well as mechanisation and smart technology for rice granaries.

"The MADANI government has never sidelined the state of Kelantan. We upgraded the Kemubu and Kasa pump stations at RM28 million; the mechanical pump system at RM40 million; and we strengthened mechanisation and smart technology so that our fields no longer rely solely on the old methods," he said.

Mohamad said this at the launching ceremony of the Karnival Cahaya Aidilfitri Usahawan KPKM Dan Majlis Iftar Kasih at the Rural Transformation Centre, Tunjong here today.

Elaborating further, Mohamad said that following the major flood in Kelantan in December last year, resulting in the destruction of over 1,500 hectares of padi crops, the KPKM approved compensation amounting to RM4.62 million.

"Of this amount, RM3.58 million went to 465 farmers under KADA, whereas RM146,000 was given to farmers in IADA (Integrated Agriculture Development Area) Kemasin Semerak.

"A total of RM891,000 was given to 206 farmers outside the granaries supervised by the Kelantan Agriculture Department," he also said.

He added that payments were being made in phases through Agrobank so that farmers would receive assistance quickly and efficiently.

-- BERNAMA