ONLY Agriculture Department-registered padi farmers will receive the RM200 aid a month for six months, said Agriculture and Food Industries Deputy Minister II Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh.

He said those yet to register should immediately do so at the nearest Agriculture Department office.

“We guarantee that only those registered with the Agriculture Department are eligible for the aid to cover the rising cost of living,” he told reporters today.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob this week announced that the government agrees to provide a RM200 assistance a month for six months to padi farmers while waiting for their harvests.

This will be included in Budget 2023, which is expected to be tabled in October, he added.

Nik Zawawi said the aid proves that the government is concerned about farmer welfare.

“The assistance also gives new impetus to them to work harder to provide adequate rice supply to meet the needs of the country.” – Bernama, May 21, 2022.