Beluran farmers, residents receive aid
BELURAN: One thousand farmers and local residents of the district’s farmers’ association received a total of RM100,000 assistance from the National Farmers’ Organization (NAFAS) to ease their burden due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each of the recipients received RM100 each.
Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee in his speech at the event on October 17 expressed his appreciation to NAFAS for its continued concern to the farmers as well as the local community, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In the face of the current situation where the pandemic is still not over, it is hoped that the assistance provided can to some extent help reduce the burden of recipients today.
“The Prihatin Peladang NAFAS Initiative is also in line with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAFI) to ensure the welfare of the needy, especially among farmers, breeders and fishermen is always given priority,” he said at the Prihatin Peladang NAFAS Initiative event organized at the Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan Beluran.
In total, NAFAS has allocated a contribution of more than RM1 million on the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for the Prihatin Peladang Initiative which will benefit nearly 10,000 families who will receive between RM100 to RM200 each.
The contribution is also part of NAFAS’ business tithe contribution to the less fortunate among its members and the local community.
Contributions under the Prihatin Peladang initiative to help the target group, especially among farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen was implemented by NAFAS in stages throughout the country beginning of this year.
The organization of this program is to show the NAFAS’ commitment in ensuring that profit from its business activities is shared for the benefit of farmers and those in need.
Dr Ronald in his speech said that NAFAS as an institution that leads the movement of Farmers’ Organizations must continue to be strengthened to become a viable business body as well as build a competent and competitive Farmers’ Organization movement.
“I am confident and believe that Farmers’ Organizations at all levels will continue their main function in providing quality and dynamic services as well as continue to strive to be actively involved in the entire value chain of the country’s rice industry, exploring value-added and downstream activities, especially with modern and digital technology, productivity is maximized and income can be increased,” he said.
According to him, this is important so that a more sustainable business model can be created to give beHer returns to the target group.
“I always follow the performance of the Farmers’ Organizations from time to time and will support any effort to further strengthen them into a viable entity in the country’s agro-food industry,” he added.
NAFAS’ Board of Directors member, Datuk Zainal Abidin Yang Razalli said almost 10,000 families nationwide have received benefits totalling RM1.01 million from the NAFAS Prihatin Peladang corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.
He said the contribution was part of the distribution of NAFAS’ business zakat wakalah (representative) to zakat recipients comprising members and local communities.
“NAFAS is always concerned and view seriously measures to ease the burden of the needy and low-income families especially more so when the country is still facing the Covid19 pandemic,” he said.
Zainal Abidin said NAFAS had also planned programmes and formulated new business models to ensure continuity.
These include taking up MAFI’s proposal to be involved in its Large-Scale Smart Padi (Smart SBB) programme, he said.
“Through the Smart SBB approach, NAFAS can boost the income of padi farmers by increasing production.
“This means, NAFAS had and will move from the traditional business model such as supplying fertilisers, pesticides and others to the aspect of plantation and also Smart SBB,” he said.