Padi farmers in 3 states first to benefit from Bernas’ special aid

December 31, 2022

Padi farmers in 3 states first to benefit from Bernas’ special aid

PETALING JAYA: Farmers in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang will be the first to benefit from the RM10 million special allocation to padi farmers granted by Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas)

Some 20,598 farmers from Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang will receive about RM250 each, agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said.

Padi farmers in other states will receive their share when Bernas’ remaining RM50 million special allocation is distributed, according to the agriculture and food security ministry.

In the statement, the ministry said the farmers in the three states will receive this special assistance by Jan 16 at the latest.

“A total of 20,598 padi farmers will benefit from Bernas’ contribution, which amounts to RM250 per farmer,” agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said in a statement.

Mohamad said the ministry and its agencies are finalising the list of farmers’ names and account numbers in the three states to ensure that the distribution process runs smoothly.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

At a press conference on Dec 5, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim put the spotlight on the rice monopoly enjoyed by Bernas, which is controlled by billionaire tycoon Syed Mokhtar Albukhary.

Anwar said he had spoken to Syed Mokhtar “and he had been reprimanded because he monopolises rice imports”, adding that the billionaire had agreed to allocate RM10 million to local farmers this month, with Bernas to distribute another RM50 million next year.