Poor padi farmers hail move by Bernas to share profits

 

Bernas has agreed to distribute RM10 million to poor rice farmers this month and another RM50 million next year.

KUALA LUMPUR: Having been plagued by poverty for so long, rice farmers hope that things will look up with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement for Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) to share profits with poor farmers.

They described the prime minister’s actions as a move by the government to help farmers who live from hand to mouth.

Bernas has agreed to distribute an allocation of RM10 million to poor rice farmers nationwide this month while another RM50 million will be distributed next year.

In Perlis, rice farmers expressed their gratitude and hoped the move can help reduce poverty.

Razali Salam, 70, from Kampung Surau, Kangar, said that after being stuck in poverty for so long, he hoped the government can change his fate and that of farmers across the country by sharing the nation’s wealth equally.

“Many people assume that ‘buat bendang’ (planting rice) can make you rich but the fact is those making big profits are the ‘taukeh’ (businessmen) and not us rice farmers,” said Razali, who began farming at the age of 18.

Ismail Saidin, 55, said despite the uncertain global economic situation today, he hoped the government can consider helping the rice farmers and rubber tappers who have been having it tough for a long time by introducing a monthly subsistence allowance.

“It has been hard for us for a long time. It would help if the government introduces a RM200 a month living allowance to help ease the cost of living,” said the father of four.

In Kedah, rice farmers in Kampung Putat, Jitra, welcomed the good news to address the issue of poverty and hoped the government could provide various facilities.

Hakim Saad, 53, who has 30 years experience, said the new government needs to help rice farmers deal with the rising cost of pesticides.

Another rice farmer, Abdul Ghani Zain, 48, hoped whatever allocation is channelled to the rice farmers directly to help ease their burden in facing hikes in the cost of materials used in planting padi.

Zurin Jamaludin, 47, said he welcomed the announcement of the aid to rice farmers. He hoped the government could focus on the problems of rice farmers, including the issue of improving drainage in rice fields.

In Selangor, a rice farmer in Kampung Sawah Sempadan, Tanjong Karang, Fairuzzaini Toif, 38, was happy with the assistance, but also hoped that the allocation of RM10 million would be channelled in the form of subsidies, especially for the purchase of items such as fertilisers and pesticides, which have become increasingly expensive.

“For example, the price of fertiliser for a (padi field) lot was about RM100 last year. It has doubled every time there is a new planting season. This is a big burden for rice farmers because they have to spend more,” he said. - FMT