MADA Completes Pre-sowing Activities For 2026 First Padi Season

ALOR SETAR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Pre-sowing activities for the 2026 first padi season under Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) have been completed despite weather challenges and water supply constraints caused by lower-than-expected rainfall in recent months.

MADA said land preparation works had reached 94.8 per cent completion, while planting activities currently covered 49.3 per cent of the total area under its jurisdiction.

In a statement today, MADA said earlier delays caused by below-normal rainfall had affected irrigation water management, but improving weather conditions were helping farmers accelerate planting activities.

"MADA would like to express its appreciation to all farmers in the Muda area for their continued cooperation and commitment in carrying out padi planting activities for the 2026 first season," it said.

MADA said it would remain committed to ensuring farmers' needs are met through water supply management based on current capacity, continuous field monitoring, maintenance of irrigation and drainage infrastructure, as well as the systematic distribution of subsidised agricultural inputs.

It added that information dissemination and timely updates to farmers would continue to be strengthened to help them manage planting activities in a more organised and effective manner.

Meanwhile, water storage at MADA's three main dams stood at 507,027 acre-feet, or 41.46 per cent of capacity, as of June 18.

Pedu Dam recorded storage of 378,240 acre-feet (43.23 per cent), followed by Ahning Dam at 111,737 acre-feet (50.11 per cent) and Muda Dam at 17,050 acre-feet (13.64 per cent).

MADA also urged farmers to use available water resources prudently and adopt planting methods suited to current conditions to avoid wastage, saying their continued cooperation was crucial to ensuring the smooth implementation of the first season, safeguarding padi production and strengthening the nation's food security.

-- BERNAMA