A TOTAL of 1,365 padi farmers in Kelantan suffered losses amounting to RM26.19 million due to floods in February.

Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority chairman Kamarudin Md Nor said 4,500ha of padi land were affected by the floods and among the worst affected areas were Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh and Bachok.

“We have informed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries to help the affected farmers but because it involves a large amount of losses, the ministry is trying to apply for assistance from the Finance Ministry and we are waiting for the decision,” he told a press conference after attending a breaking of the fast event Kota Baru yesterday.

Kamarudin also said Kada is working with the state government to develop 100ha of idle land in the Tumpat and Pasir Mas to increase padi production.

“We signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of February with the Kelantan Agricultural Development Corporation and work to restore the idle land is expected to take two to three years before the planting begins,” he said. – Bernama, April 28, 2022.