Over 1,000 Padi Farmers In Kelantan Affected By Drought

KOTA BHARU, March 30 (Bernama) -- A total of 1,085 padi farmers under the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) have been affected by the ongoing drought in several districts in Kelantan, involving a total of 3,638 hectares of padi fields.

KADA chairman Khalid Abdul Samad said the affected areas include Kota Bharu Utara (KBU), Kota Bharu Selatan (KBS), Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Pasir Mas and Tumpat.

"Overall, only about 15 per cent of KADA areas are affected, with most areas still receiving sufficient water supply, except for several remote locations such as Kampung Belukar Tanjung Puri, which are facing irrigation disruptions," he told reporters at the KADA office here today.

Khalid said thatOVER 1,000 PADI FARMERS IN KELANTAN AFFECTED BY DROUGHT as a mitigation measure, the operation of Kemubu Pump 4 since last February has significantly helped channel water supply to padi fields, especially when water levels in the Kelantan River are low.

"Kemubu Pump 4 can operate at a minimum level of 1.0 metre (m), compared with Kemubu Pumps 1 and 2, which require higher water levels of 4.0 m and 3.5 m respectively.

"The delay in the completion of the Kemubu Pump 3 project by the contractor has also been one of the factors limiting the capability of the existing irrigation system. However, once completed, irrigation issues are expected to be addressed more effectively," he said.

He added that the authority would continue to monitor the situation and ensure that all assistance is delivered effectively to safeguard paddy production and the welfare of farmers.

Meanwhile, a farmer from KBU, Hafizul Daud, 50, said the main issue in Tanjung Puri is the failure of the irrigation system to channel water to higher-lying fields, forcing farmers to rely on tube well pumps, which incur high costs.

"The cost of using pump engines is very high, and many of us cannot afford it as the capital needed for padi cultivation is already substantial. If this situation continues, it will be difficult for us to sustain," he said.

-- BERNAMA