President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made it clear that the government’s $3 billion support package for the rice industry is intended specifically for active farmers and producers, not landlords collecting rent on agricultural lands.
Addressing rice farmers at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the president stressed that the administration wants to support cultivation and production directly in the sector.
“We want to help those who are actually planting and producing. If you’re a farmer and tenant on somebody’s land, the benefit is for you, not your landlord,” President Ali indicated during the consultation with the farmers.
The president noted that in past distributions, landlords collected the grants but never planted a grain of rice. This was concerning to the actual rice farmers who felt unfairly treated. He assured them that this would not be the case this rollout of the grant.
Farmers cultivating over 50 acres will receive $10,000 per acre, while those with under 50 acres will receive $15,000 per acre in financial support.
The head of state reminded the farmers that the government has consistently intervened and will continue to cushion the rice industry from global and local challenges. He pointed to billions of dollars already invested in direct assistance, flood relief, seed distribution, transportation savings, and market support.