956 paddy farmers in Perlis receive TBTP assistance

KANGAR, April 6 (Bernama) -- A total of 956 paddy farmers statewide who have been adversely affected by the floods from May to September last year received aid through the Padi Crop Disaster Fund (TBTP) via an allocation of RM1.3 million from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries (MAFI).

These recipients are from five localities, namely Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) Area Farmers Organisation (PPK) A-1 Arau, MADA PPK B-1 Kayang, MADA PPK C-1 Kangar, MADA PPK D-1 Tambun Tulang and MADA PPK E-1 Simpang Empat.

MADA chairman Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman said the floodwaters had damaged the crop resulting in losses to the farmers.

“The high distribution of rainfalls and storms from May to September last year caused floods which damaged the paddy crops,” he said in his speech at the presentation of TBTP assistance at Dewan Warisan here, today.

Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man and State Secretary Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad.

Ahmad Tarmizi said the rate of assistance provided to each recipient was based on the damaged paddy crop.

“For plants which are from one to 70 days old, the government allocated a payment of RM876 per hectare. For plants which are 71 days old and above, the assistance given is RM1,800 per hectare,” he said.

In the same development, Ahmad Tarmizi said this year, MADA had planned maintenance and development works in Perlis MADA Region 1 with an allocation of RM1.025 million. 

“MADA is also planning to develop eight blocks of irrigation (schemes) next year which will benefit 4,900 hectares of paddy planting areas in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, Azlan, in his speech, said although the TBTP aid was modest he hoped it would, to a certain extent, help ease the burden being faced by the farmers impacted by the floods.

--BERNAMA