TUMPAT: The agriculture sector in Kelantan has incurred estimated losses amounting to RM10 million, including infrastructure damage, following the first wave of flood that struck late last month. Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) chairman Khalid Samad said affected districts include Kota Bharu Utara, Kota Bharu Selatan, Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Pasir Mas and Tumpat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Khalid mentioned that 696 hectares of affected farmland were covered by takaful (insurance) subscribed by farmers, while 981 hectares remained uninsured. ‘Most of the affected padi fields are insured as we had encouraged farmers to register. According to our records, 696 hectares are insured, while 981 hectares were not registered in time. The insurance covers crops that are less than 70 days old, and compensation of RM2,250 per hectare will be provided, while those without takaful coverage will receive aid through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s disaster relief fund,’ he said during KA
DA’s outreach programme in Kampung Talak, here today.

Khalid added that assistance for uninsured farmers would be processed as quickly as possible, with disbursement to be made before the month of Ramadan, at the latest. ‘To obtain full details regarding those involved, we need to visit the affected areas, which can only be finalised after the flood has completely receded. It may take two to three months before aid applications are submitted to the Ministry,’ he said.

Meanwhile, farmer Eh Nong Eh Dam, 46, from Bendang Pauh in Tumpat, reported losses of nearly RM30,000 as 20 acres of his padi fields were submerged and could not be harvested. ‘This is the most significant loss I’ve faced in over 20 years as a farmer, including damage to equipment like water pumps, engines, and seeds, even though I have placed them on higher ground, more than one-metre high,’ he said. ‘I hope that both my plight and that of nearly 200 other rice farmers in Tumpat will receive the attention from the state government and the rel
evant ministries, and they will provide suitable aid to ease our burden,’ he said.