Kedah Farmers Call For Immediate Upgrade Of Irrigation System

ALOR SETAR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The drainage and irrigation system involving the four regions under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) in Kedah needs to be upgraded immediately to prevent floods that could further submerge the padi fields.

The Malaysian Padi Farmers Brotherhood Organisation (PeSAWAH) chairman Abdul Rashid Yob said the floods this time around are worse than in 2010, and he does not rule out the possibility that the 'dilapidated' irrigation system is the cause of more than 6,000 hectares of padi fields under MADA's management being submerged and flooded.

“Kedah’s infrastructure needs to be upgraded… this is already the third wave and there are areas that haven't turned dry for a month. This time it's getting worse, and will certainly cause huge losses to the farmers," he told reporters here today.

"This is the importance of upgrading, cleaning, deepening, or widening these drainage systems in areas that frequently flood so that water can flow quickly and there will be minimal damage to padi crops."

"I hope the agricultural allocation through the Budget 2025 will be fully utilised and that MADA, together with the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS), can collaborate on this issue so that it no longer affects farmers' yields every time there is a flood," he said.

Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid said his team also appealed to the government to raise the floor price for padi to RM1,800 per tonne to help farmers cope with the operational costs of padi cultivation.

“The current floor price for padi is RM1,300 per tonne...but there are manufacturers who promised to buy at RM1,800 per tonne, but it dropped to RM1,450 per tonne."

Meanwhile, the cost to rent harvesting and plowing machinery is increasing along with other costs," he also said.

Meanwhile, farmer Masliza Md Desa, 49, from Langgar here, who manages about three hectares of padi fields, said the low floor price for padi does not benefit farmers who have to incur high costs to cultivate their fields.

“We depend on padi cultivation for our livelihood… I am from the younger generation trying to transform this padi cultivation, but if it continues like this, the younger generation will lose motivation. Therefore, attracting young people to cultivate padi for future generations will indeed be difficult," added Mazliza.

-- BERNAMA