Eligible agropreneurs offered SAF loans and grants, paddy disaster aid

ELIGIBLE agropreneurs in Sarawak can apply for loans and grants under the Sarawak Agro Fund (SAF), while paddy farmers who suffer crop losses due to disaster can seek compassionate payments.

“My ministry through Sarawak Land Development Board (SLDB) offers financial assistance to eligible agropreneurs in the form of loans and grants under Sarawak Agro Fund (SAF),” said Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.

He said this in reply to Serembu assemblyman, Datuk Miro Simuh, during his ministerial winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.

Dr Rundi said livestock feed assistance is also provided as a component of the Livestock Commercial Development Programme (LCDP) under the 13th Malaysia Plan.

“The assistance is extended in-kind, whereby selected livestock farmers are provided with a one-off supply of livestock feed, subject to the requirements and scope of their respective projects,” he said.

Responding to Bukit Semuja assemblyman, John Ilus, Dr Rundi said the ministry is committed to modernising the agriculture sector and promoting sustainable farming practices to increase productivity and minimise environmental impact.

“For paddy farmers who suffer crop losses due to disaster, the Department of Agriculture Sarawak will facilitate and coordinate the application for compassionate payment under the ‘Tabung Bencana Tanaman Padi’ (TBTP) under federal government,” he said.

Dr Rundi said the government has also introduced schemes to reduce production costs and increase productivity, namely ‘Skim Subsidi Baja dan Racun Padi Bukit’ (SBRPB), ‘Skim Subsidi Baja Padi Kerajaan Persekutuan’ (SBPKP) and ‘Skim Insentif Pengeluaran Padi’ (SIPP).