Govt allocates RM3.7 mln additional fund, aids farmers affected by blight

The government has channeled an additional fund of RM3.7 million to help farmers in northwest Selangor affected by the blight since two months ago.

Minister of Agriculture and Agro based Industry Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the blight destroyed about 7,700 hectares of padi cultivated by 3,000 farmers in the affected area.

He said the fund was to purchase fertilisers, pesticides and seeds and would be distributed soon as the next padi planting season was expected to be in April.

"Last year, farmers in the affected district received federal government aid amounting to RM110 million while this year an additional RM3.7 million is provided to ease the burden of farmers affected by the blight," he told reporters after visiting the affected padi cultivating areas here today.

He said the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) was currently conducting research to identify the causes of the blight that attacked the crop.

"Mardi is in the process of identifying if the blight was caused by the weather conditions due to the frequent rains or other factors," he said.

He said the study would also look for new padi seeds that were resistant and suitable pesticides to combat and ensure the blight did not recur. - BERNAMA