77 farmers affected by El-Nino get special aid
KOTA MARUDU: Seventyseven farmers recovering from the effects of the recent El-Nino phenomenon on their crops here received financial assistance from the government yesterday.
The assistance, worth RM500 each, is meant to help the recipients who lost their source of income following the prolonged drought in 2016.
Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili when presenting the assistance here said the government would continue to provide aid to lighten the rakyat’s burden.
“Apart from such special aid for farmers, the government also channeled financial assistance through schemes like the 1Malaysia People’s Aid, assistance for schoolchildren, people with special needs, single parents, the elderly, as well as for those affected by natural disasters,” said the Kota Marudu Member of Parliament at a simple financial aid presentation ceremony at the Farmers Organisation Authority Malaysia Kota Marudu Branch office, here.
Also present were Kota Marudu District Officer Arnold Joibi and Farmers Organisation Authority Malaysia Kota Marudu Branch chairman Datuk George Sangkin.
In addition, he said the government also provided incentives under various schemes to help farmers produce higher yield.
He said the incentives were given to assist farmers as Kota Marudu is one of the main agricultural centres in the state, in the form of fertilizers and weed, pest and disease control chemicals for paddy planting.
“Higher yields help farmers improve their livelihood. We should not be ashamed to work in the farm as modern entrepreneurs. It is actually a noblejob,” he said.
On another development, Maximus allocated RM10,000 for the organising of a two-day agricultural-based “tamu besar” here.
“Through the event, farmers will be able to earn extra income by selling their products at the open market,” he said.