Flood: More than 5,800 hectares of rice crops were affected, the value of the loss was RM32 million
PUTRAJAYA: An area of 5,822.59 hectares of rice crops has been affected by the floods, with an estimated loss of rice yield reaching RM32 million in the northern states.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said, the ministry has taken steps to help farmers, ranchers, and fishermen affected by the disaster.
He said, post-disaster aid will be channeled through the Rice Crop Disaster Fund (TBTP) for rice crops, as well as the Agricultural Disaster Fund (TBP) for other agro-food activities.
“In addition to the assistance, today AgroBank also announced a moratorium offer to its customers affected by the current floods.
“The farmers, breeders, fishermen and entrepreneurs involved can apply for this facility at the nearest AgroBank branch,” he said in a statement, here, on Saturday.
Mohamad said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s (KPKM) disaster operations room at the district and state levels is monitoring the weather conditions, making early warnings to target groups and implementing a mitigation plan to reduce losses to the country’s agro-food sector.
He said, KPKM has also instructed KPKM Inc. liaise with the District Disaster Management Committee (JPBD) and the State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) to ensure that information regarding flood disaster coordination at district and state levels is always updated and delivered to target groups, especially for areas at risk of disaster.
He said, KPKM is also ready to mobilize the necessary assets to help rescue efforts during floods, if necessary and after obtaining permission from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).