PUTRAJAYA: Padiberas Nasional Bhd’s (Bernas) special assistance amounting to RM10mil for 2022 will be distributed in stages to padi farmers in Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang from January, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu (pic).
He said the aid would be given to padi farmers in the three east coast states first, while those in other states would receive it when the remaining Bernas special aid totalling RM50mil was distributed, reported Bernama.
Earlier this month, Bernas agreed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s request that an allocation of RM60mil be provided to help padi farmers nationwide.
Mohamad said padi farmers in the three states involved would receive this special assistance no later than Jan 16 from Bernas’ contribution of RM250 to each of them.
“The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and agencies under it are finalising the list of farmers’ names and (bank) account numbers in the three states to ensure the distribution process runs smoothly,” he said in a statement.