KUALA LUMPUR: The government has allocated RM2.62 billion for subsidies and incentives for the paddy sector this year, including RM1.456 billion for agricultural inputs, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said the funding covered several schemes, including the Federal Government Paddy Fertiliser Scheme, Paddy Production Incentive Scheme, Paddy Fertiliser and Pesticide Scheme, Hill and Huma Paddy Scheme, and Certified Seed Incentive.
On the recent fertiliser supply delays, Mohamad said he had taken action after confirming the problem with the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) and the relevant officials.
"Before placards were raised in protest, I had already taken action, though I did not announce it.
"I went privately to Mada, met with the director, and discussed it; he confirmed there was indeed a delay," he said.
He said the director-general of the Paddy and Rice Regulatory Department also confirmed the delay, while the newly appointed Mada chairman later wrote to him recommending the termination of the contractor deemed incapable of fulfilling its responsibilities.
Mohamad said he then met the Finance Minister and Prime Minister to propose immediate termination of the contract, which was subsequently terminated.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) later began investigating the matter, where Mohamad said he had also been called to give a statement on Sept 19.
He added that the ministry would study reports of losses suffered by farmers and consider targeted assistance where funding was available, rather than providing compensation across the board.
"We do not see a decline in yields everywhere, but we will look at certain areas on a case-by-case basis," he said.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai), who asked about access to affordable agricultural drone technology for B40 farmers, a 337-day delay in the SCRBD 5A irrigation project and possible assistance for farmers affected by recent fertiliser delays.
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