KLUANG: Around 45,000 Johor smallholders have yet to register for the Budi Madani Subsidy Assistance Programme, aimed at supporting those involved in palm oil, rubber, cocoa, pepper, and kenaf farming.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said that out of 46,000 eligible smallholders in Johor, only 1,078 have registered for the cash assistance so far.
"The programme is the government's initiative to provide cash assistance and ensure fuel subsidies reach eligible agricultural and commodity sectors," Johari said today.
Over 600 smallholders attended a Budi Agri-Commodity briefing at Dewan Muafakat Johor, Kampung Abdul Rahman Yassin.
The ministry is conducting nationwide roadshows to encourage more smallholders to register.
Eligible participants receive RM200 per month, or RM2,400 annually, to ease financial pressures.
As of Sept 20, 51,174 applications were received nationwide, compared to the 214,887 eligible smallholders.
The Johor roadshow included registration counters to help smallholders with eligibility checks and registration.
Applicants must be Malaysian citizens registered with agencies like the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM), or Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM).
Land eligibility varies, with oil palm and rubber plantations capped at 4.5ha, while cocoa, pepper, and kenaf are limited to 2.5ha.
Johari added that similar outreach programmes have been held in Penang, Selangor, Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, and Pahang, with upcoming events in Kedah and Terengganu.
As of Aug 31, 214,887 smallholders in Peninsular Malaysia are eligible, including over 46,000 from Johor. Nationwide, 25,808 applications have been approved, with 1,078 from Johor.
Johari said efforts to merge several agencies are ongoing, adding that there is a need for a thorough review due to shrinking commodity cultivation under certain agencies.