RM1 billion allocation to boost Kedah's padi yield, says PM
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that the government has approved RM1 billion as an incentive to implement a programme aimed at boosting padi production in Kedah.
He said the allocation would be disbursed in stages.
"We've already allocated RM1 billion on-going," he said when met at the 2025 Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration hosted by the Health Ministry here today.
He said this in response to a statement by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
The latter had said the state would continue to demand RM200 million annually from the federal government as a special incentive for maintaining padi cultivation areas to ensure the country's rice supply.
Sanusi was also reported to have rejected a proposal by the Town and Country Planning Department, which suggested an annual payment of RM41 million to Kedah under the National Food Resources Land Usage Masterplan.
In February, Anwar announced that RM1 billion had been approved for the Muda Agricultural Development Authority as an incentive to implement a programme to boost rice productivity in Kedah.
"The additional RM1 billion is expected to ensure increased productivity and at least meet local demand from 56 per cent to 70 per cent," he said during the Prime Minister's Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat.
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