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THE sight of acres of land where his crops had flourished covered by floodwaters last week brought 23-year-old farmer Rikki Paria to tears.

Standing near his water-logged cucumber vines, which had started bearing, Paria said he loves agriculture but has already suffered several heartbreaks and financial devastation as a result of floods.

The father of a three-year-old said he is also the breadwinner to his mother, and has to continue to be able to feed his family.