KOTA BARU: A total of 1,365 padi farmers in Kelantan suffered losses amounting to RM26.19mil from the damage that floods caused to their rice crop in February.

       Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) chairman Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor said 4,500ha of padi land was affected by the floods and among the worst affected areas were Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Pasir Puteh and Bachok.

       "We have informed the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry to help the affected farmers, but because it involves a large amount of losses, the ministry is trying to apply for assistance from the Finance Ministry and we are awaiting a decision," he said at a press conference after attending a breaking of fast event with Kelantan media practitioners here Wednesday (April 27).

       Meanwhile, Kamarudin said Kada is working with the state government to develop 100ha of idle land in Tumpat and Pasir Mas to increase padi production.

       "We have signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of February with the Kelantan Agricultural Development Corporation and the work to restore the idle land is expected to take two to three years before the planting begins,” he added. - Bernama