Sarikei: 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 announced the expansion of the programme to farmers and smallholders in Sabah and Sarawak from June 22, following the implementation of the retargeting of diesel subsidies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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. Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad made these remarks while opening the MADANI Agri-Komoditi Carnival at the Sarikei Central Hall.

Noraini emphasized that assistance to smallholders should not be limited to providing equipment or incentives but should also include advisory services, training, technology, basic facilities, and market access. She highlighted the challenges facing the agri-commodity sector, including rising input and fuel costs, ageing crops, labour shortages, weather changes, and disease outbreaks.

In a related development, she mentioned that the pepper industry is projected to contribute about RM2.27 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, marking an increase of 1.4 percent compared to RM2.24 billion the previous year. The industry involves about 39,000 smallholders who play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and reputation of Sarawak pepper in the world market. Sarawak continues to be the primary production hub, producing almost 98 percent of the total pepper in Malaysia.