BY: LIZAWATI MADFA
SABAK BERNAM, APR 7: The State Government took only seven days to keep its promise to help 8,950 paddy farmers whose plantations were badly affected by the bacterial leaf blight (BLB) disease.
Dato’ Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said immediate help was given in view of the graveness of the situation as the farmers’ incomes were 60 percent affected.
He said, it proves that State Government has never given empty promises, on the contrary, it is committed to help its citizens in need.
“We don’t want to be like the other party, they only say they would help with allocation reaching millions, about four months ago.
“Unfortunately, until now, even ‘wind’ has not reached the farmers,” he said to over 500 people who were present during the Aid Distribution to Paddy Farmers Ceremony at Parit 10, today.
Mohamed Azmin said, every lot receives aid in the form of CL2 paddy seeds and pesticides worth RM960.
“We hope with this help, it can more or less reduce the burden from those affected. Farmers are also expected to start replanting and recover their income,” he said.
Last March 31, during the summation at the Selangor State Assembly, Mohamed Azmin announced that RM8.5 million have been approved in aid for affected paddy farmers in Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam
Last December 5, 2016, BLB attack was reported to have destroyed 3,700 hectares of paddy field with loss amounting to almost RM5 million.
The attack was said to be the worst in the second season this year, after the last attack in 2013.
Only a week to keep promise to farmers
