KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to provide RM200 assistance for six months to padi farmers waiting for the harvest period, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.
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He said the assistance had been discussed with the finance ministry and would be included in Budget 2023 expected to be tabled in October.
“A total of RM200 (will be given) for three months for two seasons, which is six months, to help them while waiting for the padi to be harvested,” he said at a dinner before officiating the 48th annual general meeting of the National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) here last night.
Ismail said that previously, rubber tappers received assistance during the monsoon season as they had no income for three months – November, December and January.
“At that time, I was a minister (of rural and regional development). Fishermen, including inland fishermen, also received allowances of between RM200 and RM300. I was surprised that padi farmers didn’t receive such aid,” he said.
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On the issue of controlling chicken and egg prices, Ismail recommended that Nafas control the supply chain to help the government and prevent it from being “held to ransom” by suppliers.
“I agree on Nafas controlling the poultry production chain but I also hope it controls the supply chain for poultry production from feed to chickens.
“There are enough Nafas members, and they can venture into the market (as poultry supply producers),” he said.-BERNAMA