KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has increased the allocation for the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry from RM4.4 billion in 2019 to RM4.9 billion in 2020, in an effort to enhance farmers' income.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, in tabling the Budget 2020 in Parliament today, said the government had allocated RM152 million which would translate into an increment in fishermen’s allowance, from RM200 to RM250 per month.
He also said RM150 million was set aside to facilitate cash crop planting of chili, pineapple, coconut, watermelon and bamboo to help supplement farmers' income.
Lim said the government wanted to promote glutinous rice, a signature product of Langkawi, and provide farmers with a higher income.
A total of RM30 million was allocated for glutinous rice production in Langkawi which is expected to benefit 1,200 farmers
He also assured that farmers who planted hill rice and 'huma' rice would continue to receive subsidies.
As for the production of ordinary rice, the Finance Ministry has raised an allocation for padi inputs from RM796 million in 2019 to RM855 million in 2020 under the Skim Baja Padi Kerajaan Persekutuan (SBPKP) and Skim Insentif Pengeluaran Padi (SIPP).
Lim also said the government had provided RM43 million to Agriculture Industry to develop new crop varieties with higher productivity and quality.