KUALA LUMPUR: Rice farmers are calling for an introduction of living allowance and subsidies for cost materials as well as the improvement of drainage quality system in padi fields as a way of increasing their livelihood.
This follows the announcement by Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) which had agreed to distribute RM10mil in allocation to poor rice farmers nationwide this month while another RM50mil will be distributed next year.
In PERLIS, Razali Salam, 70, from Kampung Surau, Kangar, said after being stuck in poverty for so long, he hoped the announcement could change his fate and that of farmers across the country.
“Many people assume that ‘buat bendang’ (planting rice) can make you rich but the fact is those making big profits are the ‘taukeh’ (businessmen) and not us padi farmers,” said Razali who began padi farming at the age of 18.
Ismail Saidin, 55, said, “We’ve been having it hard for a long time, it would help if the government introduces RM200 a month living allowance to help ease the cost of living,” the father of four told Bernama.
In KEDAH, Abdul Ghani Md Zain, 48, of Kampung Putat, Jitra, hopes the profit allocation will be channelled to help ease the burden in facing hikes in the cost of input materials.
Zurin Jamaludin, 47, urged the government to focus on the problems of padi farmers, including the issue of improving the quality of drainage systems in paddy fields.
In SELANGOR, in Kampung Sawah Sempadan, Tanjong Karang, Fairuzzaini Mohd Toif, 38, hopes the allocation would be channelled in the form of subsidies, especially for the purchase of input goods including fertilisers and pesticides.
“For example, the price of fertiliser for a (padi field) lot was about RM100 last year.
“But now it has doubled every time there is a new planting season and this is burdening padi farmers because they have to spend more,” he said.