Insurance Scheme For Breeders, Farmers Proposed - Noh Omar

BUTTERWORTH, April 12 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Agro- based Industry hope to introduce an insurance scheme to ease the burden of breeders and farmers when they suffer loses due to natural disasters like flood or outbreak of diseases.

Its Minister Datuk Noh Omar said such an insurance scheme was important as breeders and farmers would be able to use the insured capital to restart their business after any eventualities.

He said Agro Bank, with the help of a consultant company, was carrying out a feasible study and preparing a working paper to determine if the insurance scheme can be implemented successfully.

"I have, for a long time, proposed to the government to set up an insurance scheme to assist breeders and farmers make up for loses suffered during any eventualities.

"I hope it can be studied further and implemented to ensure farmers and breeders remain in the business to ensure a continuous supply of such products in the market," said Noh after opening the National Agriculture Month here today, his first official function after his appointment by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Thursday.

He added that discussions had started with Agro Bank to start a pilot project on the proposal, for poultry farmers (Johor) and paddy planters (Kedah), and that the outcome of the discussion would be announced soon.

"What is important is that a thorough study must be carried so that the proposed scheme would not burden or incur any negative consequences to those involved.

-- BERNAMA