KUCHING: The Agricultural Disaster Fund (TBP) introduced by the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-FICORD) is an initiative to support farmers and agro-food sector entrepreneurs who are affected by natural disasters such as floods.

Its Deputy Minister, Datuk Martin Ben said the initiative implemented by his ministry aims to reduce the burden of those who have suffered crop and livestock damage, as well as ensuring the continuity of the country's agricultural industry.

He explained that TBP focuses on assistance to the agro-food sector other than paddy.

"This assistance covers all aspects of losses experienced by farmers, breeders, fishermen and other communities in this industry.

"Assistance is also provided to farmer organisations, agro-food marketers, agro-based industry entrepreneurs, agro-tourism entrepreneurs as well as agriculture-based associations and cooperatives registered with relevant departments and agencies," he said.

He said this in response to a question from Bukit Semuja Assemblyman, John Ilus during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting on Friday.

For paddy field operators, he said the Paddy Crop Disaster Fund (TBTP) is specifically allocated to help those affected during the paddy planting period due to disasters.

"Through TBTP, paddy farmers who have suffered crop damage will receive cash assistance covering a maximum area of three hectares for each farmer.

"Assistance worth RM1,800 per hectare is allocated for paddy yield losses, while cash assistance worth RM876 per hectare is provided for paddy replanting and drought disaster assistance," he added.

For paddy input assistance, the rate is subject to the recommendation of the technical committee at the federal level.

Datuk Martin who is also the Kedup Assemblyman stressed that the Sarawak government is always working with the Federal government to ease the burden of affected farmers and smallholders, depending on the provision of sufficient allocations.

This initiative is seen as a proactive step to preserve the well-being of the agricultural community which plays an important role in ensuring the stability of food supply in the country. -UKASnews