RM200 monthly aid encourages paddy farmers to increase production

KENINGAU: The RM200 monthly aid to paddy farmers announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak when tabling Budget 2018 will encourage farmers to increase their production.
Tambunan Farmers' Organisation chairman Dr Juanis Yojuni who described the aid as very meaningful said paddy farmers in rural areas, especially in Tambunan, needed to seize the opportunity by working on abandoned paddy fields and adopting modern farming methods as recommended by the government.
Keningau Farmers' Organisation chairman Alexsius Paulus said the aid would help farmers to continue to be active in agriculture.
"The farmers should be grateful for this aid which is only given by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government," he told Bernama here.
When tabling Budget 2018, for the agriculture sector, the Prime Minister announced a monthly aid of RM200 for farmers for three months while waiting for the harvesting season, with the overall cost amounting to RM150 million.
Tenom Farmers' Organisation chairman David Jani said the aid proved that the government was putting the welfare of the people, especially paddy farmers, as priority.
"We need to thank the Prime Minister and the Barisan Nasional government for always protecting the interest of the paddy farmers," he said.
The three chairmen also suggested that farmers' organisations be given the responsibility to distribute the aid to ensure that it would reach its target group. — Bernama