JITRA (June 15): The government, through the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, is allocating Prihatin aid worth RM968,680 for kenaf growers impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic nationwide.
Its Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said the aid involves 1,357 growers covering 1,937 hectares (ha) under kenaf cultivation.
"The allocation, channelled through the National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LTKN), is provided in the form of agriculture input at the rate of RM500 for each hectare under kenaf cultivation," he said in a statement in conjunction with a visit to LKTN Kedah today.

Mohd Khairuddin said for Kedah, RM47,950 had been allocated for 54 kenaf growers cultivating 95.5ha.
During his visit, Mohd Khairuddin was briefed on operations of a kenaf seed processing centre and witnessed a demonstration of kenaf seed processing.
Meanwhile, he said 20 selected smallholders in the state received the Rubber Production Incentive (IPG) of almost RM6,000 today to address the impact of falling rubber prices which had affected their income.
The IPG has been activated since January 2019 — if the average monthly SMR FOB price is at RM6.10 per kg or if the farm gate price is below RM2.50 per kg.
Mohd Khairuddin said until April 30, IPG claims in Kedah involved 35,284 smallholders amounting to RM6.5 million.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/govt-allocates-prihatin-assistance-covid19hit-kenaf-growers
Source: theedgemarkets.com