Farmers across the country will receive a share of RM15 million in contributions from Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas) to assist them in making early preparations for Ramadan and Syawal.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said this is part of the RM30 million allocation that Bernas previously agreed to channel in support of the government’s efforts to safeguard the welfare of poor farmers.

“I have asked Bernas to assist the farmers and not political parties, considering that Bernas generates profits from the farmers. So, they agreed to contribute RM30 million previously.

“We will disburse RM15 million first to the farmers to ease their burden in making early preparations for Ramadan and Syawal,” he said.

Anwar was speaking at the launch ceremony of the Infrastructure Development Project to Support the Five-Seasons in Two Years Paddy Cultivations Programme in the Muda Area Phase 1, near Jerlun, Kedah, yesterday.

The event was also attended by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu.

Anwar said the assistance would be coordinated by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and Bernas in the near future.

On Feb 13, the prime minister announced that corporate figure Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary agreed to channel an additional RM30 million allocation to support the government’s efforts to safeguard the welfare of poor farmers.

Anwar was reported as saying that Syed Mokhtar conveyed his agreement when the prime minister contacted him following the announcement of the revised minimum purchase price for paddy, set at RM1,500 per tonne.

Meanwhile, the Tambun MP said the government is always ready to listen to the grievances of farmers regarding various issues, including paddy seeds and fertilisers, which were said to be of subpar quality, thus affecting rice yields.

He said the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry will also hold discussions with relevant parties, including farmers, to find solutions to the matter.

- Bernama

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