JERLUN, Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Farmers in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) areas have expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the government for selecting Kedah to implement Phase One of the Five Seasons in Two Years Padi Cultivation Programme.
MADA Agricultural Organisation Coordinating Committee chairman Ishak Taib said that farmers in Kedah and Perlis were thankful as the Prime Minister personally visited and met with the farmers, as well as provided assistance.
"We would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, for choosing MADA Kedah and Perlis to carry out the five seasons in two years padi cultivation project. This means that the hard work of the farmers has been recognised by the higher-ups (government).
"This is a significant project, and indirectly, it will provide additional income for the farmers who have been working in the fields for a long time, and with the launch of this project, it means there will be a new opportunity for the farmers," he said.
Ishak was met after attending the launch ceremony of the infrastructure development project to support the programme, in Ayer Hitam today.
Azhar Bakar, 62, who runs a rice farm in the area, said the government’s concern for farmers and the five-seasons project would help improve the economy of the farming community.
"We have been growing rice for a long time, but with this project, the work has increased a little, but the yields and income will be better than before. So, as farmers under MADA, we are truly grateful to be selected for this project," he said.
Zainol Abidin Ramli, 54, who runs a rice farm in Pokok Sena, said he attended the project launch event to listen directly from the country's leader.
"Perhaps after this, farmers here will no longer face the same problems, such as water supply issues. Once all the infrastructure is completed, it will certainly provide relief to farmers and, at the same time, help improve the country's rice production, reducing the need to rely on other countries," he said.
Meanwhile, in Perlis, State Agriculture, Plantation, and Consumerism Committee chairman Razali Saad expressed his gratitude to the government for the implementation of the development project, which also involves six areas in Perlis covering a total of 4,916.3 hectares.
He said the six areas included three in Kayang, with one area each in Arau, Tambun Tulang, and Simpang Empat, which will benefit 2,833 farmers in the state.
“Out of the 15 areas involved in this first phase, Alhamdulillah, Perlis has been allocated six areas with an estimated budget of over RM200 million. Land acquisition has been completed, and the next steps will be carried out,” he said, expressing optimism that the project’s implementation would increase rice production in Perlis.
-- BERNAMA
