Padi farmers in for incentive arrears windfall
ROMPIN, July 5 — Some 73,000 farmers nationwide are in for a windfall amounting to RM117 million, expected to be paid by Aidilfitri next month.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar said the money was arrears in incentive for higher padi yield from the year 2007.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has agreed to approve the RM117 million to be paid to the farmers who have yet to receive the incentive.
"The RM110 million paid out earlier was not enough to be distributed to all the farmers," he said during a working visit to the Rompin parliamentary constituency where he met farmers.
Also present was Rompin MP Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.
Noh told reporters the government also agreed to extend the National Food Security Policy (FSP).
"Although the policy was to have expired last year, it has been extended to this year and, perhaps, further ahead for the sake of the welfare of farmers," he said.
Noh said the government was concerned over the plight of farmers in Rompin who did not get the padi price subsidy and assistance which, he added, would be given in the next harvest season. — Bernama
