93,819 SARAWAK SMALLHOLDERS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR BUDI AGRI-KOMODITI
SARIKEI, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- A total of 93,819 smallholders in Sarawak have been identified as eligible to apply for cash assistance of RM400 per month through the BUDI Agri-Komoditi programme as of June, said Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
She said the programme was expanded to farmers and smallholders in Sabah and Sarawak from June 22 following the implementation of the retargeting of diesel subsidies.
"The RM400 per month assistance is provided to smallholders in the oil palm, rubber, cocoa, pepper and kenaf sectors who are registered with agencies under the Plantations and Commodities Ministry and meet the eligibility requirements," she said.
She said this when opening the MADANI Agri-Komoditi Carnival at the Sarikei Central Hall here today.
Noraini said assistance to smallholders should not be limited to providing equipment or incentives, but should instead include advisory services, training, technology, basic facilities and market access.
She said the agri-commodity sector was also facing challenges including rising input and fuel costs, ageing crops, labour shortages, weather changes and disease outbreaks.
In a related development, she said the pepper industry would contribute about RM2.27 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, an increase of 1.4 per cent compared to RM2.24 billion the previous year.
The industry involved about 39,000 smallholders who played an important role in maintaining the quality and reputation of Sarawak pepper in the world market.
Sarawak remained the main production hub, producing almost 98 per cent of the total pepper in Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
