Kelantan Govt, KPKM To Complete Kemubu And Lemal Pump System To Address Water Shortage

KOTA BHARU, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- The Kelantan government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) will collaborate to complete the Kemubu and Lemal Pump System with an allocation of RM20 million to address the shortage of water supply faced by farmers in the state.

Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said that repairs to the temporary sheet pile embankment and related works at the Kemubu Irrigation Scheme will also be carried out, at an estimated cost of RM15 million.

"This project is one of three approaches agreed upon during the 13th State Executive Council meeting with KPKM in June as a medium-term solution.

bootstrap slideshow

"Previously, the tube well method was executed as an immediate resolution with federal funding of RM1.2 million and RM350,000 from the state government," he told reporters after visiting the Kemubu KADA Pump House site today.

He added that the construction of Riverbank Water Reservoirs at RM700 million will also be carried out as a long-term solution to ensure sufficient sources of water during drought periods.

"Thank you to the Federal Government; this initiative will proceed, and Insya Allah the problems faced by farmers will be resolved. We will discuss this further in the exco meeting this week," he said.

bootstrap slideshow

The drought that hit Kelantan in May was reported to have affected the irrigation system, resulting in reduced rice yields and significant losses for many farmers, some of whom were unable to cultivate their padi fields.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Padi Farmers Association (PESAK) chairman Zuha Ismail expressed gratitude for the allocation and cooperation provided by the state government in addressing their issues.

"This also demonstrates that the Federal government is concerned and attentive to the problems faced by people like us," he said.

-- BERNAMA