Government considers relief package for rice farmers hit by fertiliser shortage

KUALA LUMPUR — The government is examining whether to roll out direct aid to rice cultivators whose harvests were impacted by fertiliser distribution delays, according to a senior agriculture official. The assessment will determine the scale and scope of assistance required to support affected farmers across major paddy-growing regions. Officials have indicated that any relief programme would be calibrated based on documented yield losses and verified supply chain disruptions. The fertiliser shortage, which constrained planting and growth cycles during the recent season, prompted widespread concern within the farming community about production sustainability and income stability. The agriculture ministry has not yet announced a timeline for finalising its evaluation or confirming the parameters of potential aid distribution. Farmers experiencing documented losses are urged to prepare documentation of crop damage and production records to support any future assistance applications.