The agriculture sector in Kelantan recorded about RM105 million in losses to the massive floods which hit the state, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ismail Sabri Yaacob.

   

He said the disaster had destroyed 11,099 hectares of agriculture land which affected 6,309 farmers, breeders and fishermen as well as the destruction of infrastructure and agricultural assets.

   

"Initial estimates of losses involved RM35 million for padi, fruits (RM2.1 million), vegetables (RM2.96 million), livestocks (RM2.02 million), aquaculture (RM20.1 million), fishermen (RM1.107 million) and agro-based industries (RM12.4 million)," he said after presenting RM3.5 million in post-flood assistance in a ceremony at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Tunjong, near Kota Baru yesterday.

Ismail Sabri ( lef t) said the devastation of infrastructure involved losses amounting to RM26 million while damages in assets such as dams exceeded RM2.5 million and he had directed the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) to use its reserves to repair damaged infrastucture without waiting for approval from the Finance Ministry.

   

"Apart from that, MOA will also cooperate with the federal government on giving aid money and agricultural input to farmers, breeders and fishermen who incurred losses due to the calamity.

"We have the Agro Disaster Fund totaling RM50 million, but considering the huge losses they suffered, we will seek the assistance of federal government to ease the burden of flood victims," he said.

   

However, padi crops were not as badly affected because most of the padi had been harvested before the floods set in.

   

Earlier, Ismail Sabri opened the post-flood farmers's market at RTC with discounts of up to 60 percent for 32 essential items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, eggs and vegetables.

   

Eleven post-flood farmers' market were opened in the state twice a week in the district of Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah and Machang to prevent wholesalers and retailers from raising prices indiscriminately after the flood.

  

Also present was Kada chairperson Md Alwi Che Ahmad and Kelantan Umno liaison committee deputy chairperson Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub.

  

- Bernama