2021 budget fails to pull farmers out of poverty, says Dr M

 

Dr Mahathir Mohamad says farmers are continuing with their ‘old ways’ and not improving themselves.

KUALA LUMPUR: There are no specific programmes for smallholders in the 2021 budget and it fails to improve the lives of farmers, Dr Mahathir Mohamad told the Dewan Rakyat.

Standing up to object against the agriculture and food industries ministry’s budget allocation, the former prime minister said the government needs to explain measures to reduce poverty among farmers.

“They continue with their old ways, they are unable to improve themselves and they continue to depend on the government for subsidy,” he said while debating the ministry’s allocation at the committee level.

The independent MP said bigger land size would increase yield so the government should combine land sizes of 1,000 acres to enable farmers to earn more.

He suggested that the land be managed by an expert who could introduce farmers to mixed farming which would see rubber, palm oil and padi planted alongside vegetables and fruits, with fishing also in the mix.

“This will allow farmers to still earn income if prices of their main crop drops,” he said.

He also wanted modern technology introduced to help farmers earn more. He said Malaysia imported RM60 billion worth of vegetables every year, which could be planted in the country through vertical farming, among other methods.

As for fishing, the Langkawi MP said the island was a perfect place for the industry as it is protected by other islands from strong winds. - FMT