KOTA BARU, Jan 19 — The agriculture sector in Kelantan recorded about RM105 million in losses to the massive floods which hit the state, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob.

He said the disaster had destroyed 11,099 hectares of agriculture land which affected 6,309 farmers, breeders and fishermen as well as the destruction of infrastructure and agricultural assets.

“Initial estimates of losses involved RM35 million for paddy, fruit (RM2.1 million), vegetables (RM2.96 million), live stock (RM2.02 million), aquaculture (RM20.1 million), fishermen (RM1.107 million) and agro-based industries (RM12.4 million),” he said after presenting RM3.5 million in Post-Flood Assistance in a ceremony at the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) in Tunjong here, today.

Ismail Sabri said the devastation of infrastructure involved losses amounting to RM26 million while damages in assets such as dams exceeded RM2.5 million and he had directed the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) to use its reserves to repair damaged infrastructure without waiting for approval from the Finance Ministry.

“Apart from that, MOA will also cooperate with the federal government on giving aid money and agricultural input to farmers, breeders and fishermen who incurred losses due to the calamity.

“We have the Agro Disaster Fund totalling RM50 million, but considering the huge losses they suffered, we will seek the assistance of federal government to ease the burden of flood victims,” he said.

However, paddy crops were not as badly affected because most of the paddy had been harvested before the floods set in.

Commenting on the withdrawal of Gala and Granny Smith apples from the market, believed to be contaminated by the Listeria monocytegenes bacteria, he said it was the responsibility of the Health Ministry and the MOA was only responsible for the quarantining division.

“The United States Food and Drugs Administration (USFDA) had contacted the Health Ministry directly and the sales of such apples would only be recalled by the Health Ministry,” he said.

Yesterday, the Health Ministry seized 19,960 Gala and Granny Smith apples imported from the United States valued at RM82,000 in inspections in Kuching and Sibu, Sarawak following the discovery of apples produced by Bidart Brothers, of Bakersfield, California, being contaminated by the bacteria which could cause death yesterday.

Among the initial indications of an attack by the disease included headache, vomiting, fever and stiffness of the neck and members of the public have been advised not to panic as only two types of apples were considered contaminated while other apples were safe to eat.

Any enquiries could be referred to the Health Ministry through the District Health Office or the State Health Department or through its website at http://fsq.moh.gov.my or its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq

Earlier, Ismail Sabri opened the post-flood farmers’ market at RTC with discounts of up to 60 per cent for 32 essential items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, eggs and vegetables.

Eleven post-flood farmers’ market were opened in the state twice a week in the district of Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah and Machang to prevent wholesalers and retailers from raising prices indiscriminately after the flood.

Also present was Kada chairman Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad and Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee deputy chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub. — Bernama