By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has confirmed that verification is ongoing to ensure rice farmers receive the correct amount of financial assistance under the government’s upcoming grant programme.
“We are putting a number of checks and balances in place because when you do these cash grants, you have to be careful, as people can make all kinds of requests,” Minister Mustapha said.
He explained that farmers are currently being registered and verified through committees established across the regions.

“We are registering them and carrying out verification. We have committees across the regions that will verify the acreage,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of accountability, the minister added: “We want this to be very transparent and very accountable so that we do not end up with any serious concerns.”
For many rice farmers, the direct cash transfer announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali represents more than financial relief; it is a demonstration of the government’s continued commitment to supporting the agriculture sector.
Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder rice farmer Randy Mattadin, who cultivates 66 acres of rice, had said the support will enable him to re-invest in his next crop immediately.
“This money is a real help. Right now, it will help me a lot because I can go back into crop early,” Mattadin said.
Commending the administration’s support for the rice industry, he added, “This government does not only make promises. They promised us the $300 per bag subsidy and they delivered. The fertiliser assistance they gave us also helped. They are doing a wonderful job throughout Black Bush.”
Mattadin noted that every dollar received will be re-invested into production to maximise returns during the next crop cycle.
Another farmer, Hemnarine, who has been involved in rice cultivation for more than two decades, also welcomed the initiative, noting that farming continues to face challenges and requires constant adaptation.
“I like planting rice, but as time goes on, things happen, so we are thankful for any help we receive. This money will benefit us tremendously and allow us to return to crop, so we really thank the minister and the government,” he had said.
According to Hemnarine, the funds will be used to purchase fertiliser and other agricultural inputs for the next cultivation cycle. He explained that he has often had to purchase fertiliser on credit, but the grant will allow him to pay for those supplies outright.
The assistance package was announced by President Ali in May during a meeting with rice farmers from across the country at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
During the engagement, the President said the support measures were developed through direct consultations with farmers to ensure the assistance reflected their diverse needs.
Several options were presented, including direct cash support, fertiliser assistance, subsidies and acreage-based payments. However, the majority of farmers voted in favour of direct cash transfers.
Under the initiative, farmers cultivating fewer than 50 acres of rice will receive $15,000 per acre, while those cultivating more than 50 acres will receive $10,000 per acre.
President Ali also highlighted several interventions implemented since 2020 to strengthen the rice industry and improve farmers’ earnings