Farmers suffer losses due to pest attacks on paddy fields

BAGAN SERAI: More than 100 farmers in Kampung Parit Haji Ali, Teluk Medan here suffered losses when nearly 200ha of paddy fields were attacked by pest, the brown planthopper, since last month.
Kampung Parit Haji Ali Farmers Unit head, Muslan Mohd Hanafiah, 42, said the pest attacks which occurred for the second time had caused paddy stems to rot and ripe paddy to fall to the ground.
He said this led to a decline in paddy yields this season and farmers had to bear losses of between RM1,500 to RM3,000 for each hectare of paddy harvested this week.
"The Department of Agriculture is providing pesticide to control the pests but the poison used had no effect," he said when met at the village today.
Therefore, he hoped the government could help the affected farmers by channelling aid, especially by providing paddy seeds to ease their burden.
"I also hope agricultural insurance is implemented to allow farmers seek redress when crops are attacked by pests or diseases," he said.
A farmer Mohd Yunus Roslan, 66, said he suffered losses of between RM3,000 and RM6,000 when paddy cultivated on 0.8ha was damaged by these insects.
"Farmers will suffer losses due to damaged paddy because factories will impose high deduction rates (according to grading)," he said.
Saidin Mohd Hafir, 48, said usually he harvests 10 tonnes of paddy a week but because of the pest attack his yield had been affected this week.
"I suffered losses of up to RM6,000, I should have been able to earn a revenue of RM11,000 this season. I have incurred a debt for the next plowing season because this season's earnings has dropped," he said. — Bernama