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New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Perak padi farmers can apply for aid without official disaster declaration
TAIPING: Perak padi farmers facing threats from drought, floods, or storms, no longer need to wait for an official disaster declaration, before applying for assistance under the Padi Crop Disaster Fund. State Department of Agriculture director Norsiyenti Othman advised farmers to go to the Integrated Agricultural Development Area Integration (IADA) Kerian office, or the nearest Department of Agriculture office, take photographs of the damaged fields and also file a police report, before submitting the documents to IADA or Agriculture Department officers for processing. "This process must be done within three months from the first day of the disaster. "If it exceeds three months, we won't be able to process it. "That is the procedure because we are giving out cash, and I have already instructed my officers to liaise with the IADA director to go on-site and assist," she said at a press conference, after opening the 2025 Larut Matang and Selama Department of Agriculture Agro Carnival 2025, and the pre-launch of the Perak Agricultural Herbal Centre, here, today. She said that, for crops aged 70 days old and below, farmers will receive RM860, while those over 70 days old get RM1,800, which will be paid directly into their accounts. Farmers in the Kerian area experienced drought problems, caused by the declining water level of Bukit Merah dam in Bagan Serai, attributed to prolonged dry weather since May. Meanwhile, she said that the Taiping Herbal Centre now houses about 220 species of herbal plants, brought from the former Simpang Pulai Herbal Garden, making it the only herbal centre of its kind in Perak. "So far, the state government has approved an allocation of about RM740,000 for road upgrading works at the centre. "Development work started in 2020 during the Movement Control Order (MCO), but was delayed due to the pandemic, and now this (Taiping) Herbal Centre is also suitable for students to learn about plants," he said. Also present were state Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman and Aulong assemblyman, Teh Kok Lim, and the Larut, Matang and Selama district officer, Mohd Nasrul Menhat.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Perak paddy farmers get faster access to disaster aid without official declaration
TAIPING: Perak paddy farmers affected by drought, floods or storms can now seek financial aid without waiting for formal disaster declarations under the Paddy Crop Disaster Fund. State Department of Agriculture director Norsiyenti Othman urged farmers to document crop damage by photographing affected fields and filing police reports. Applicants must submit evidence to either the Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Kerian office or nearest Agriculture Department branch within three months of the disaster. 'For claims beyond three months, we cannot process them as these are cash payouts requiring strict verification,' Norsiyenti said during the 2025 Larut Matang and Selama Department of Agriculture Agro Carnival launch. Farmers with crops aged 70 days or younger qualify for RM860 compensation, while older crops receive RM1,800 deposited directly into their accounts. The Kerian region currently faces drought conditions due to falling water levels at Bukit Merah dam, exacerbated by dry weather since May. Separately, Norsiyenti revealed the Taiping Herbal Centre now hosts 220 herbal species relocated from Simpang Pulai, becoming Perak's sole dedicated herbal facility. The state government has allocated RM740,000 for road upgrades at the centre, initially delayed by pandemic-related Movement Control Order restrictions. 'This centre now serves as an educational hub for students studying plant varieties,' she added at the event attended by state committee chairman Teh Kok Lim and district officer Mohd Nasrul Menhat. – Bernama
