AGRICULTURE and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu yesterday announced an additional allocation of RM400,000 to build water pumps and wells to overcome water problems during the dry season.

Mohamad said the measure was taken to help padi farmers who are hit by water shortage.

“We are getting the water pumps ready so that the hot weather will not affect padi cultivation,” he told reporters after checking on the water pumps in Kampung Kubang Telaga, in Bachok today.

“If the current amount of pumps are not sufficient, we will consider adding more before a suitable irrigation system is implemented in the future.

Mohamad said hot weather and drought have caused areas managed by the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) to face water supply issues. The Kemubu pump house was unable to irrigate some padi-growing areas in Kota Baru Selatan, Kota Baru Utara, Pasir Puteh and Bachok.

“The hot weather has caused the Kelantan river to continue to dry up and the Kemubu pump house is unable to irrigate the 16,113 hectares of padi crops since nearly a month ago.

“Kada has provided three special pumps in the fields in Aur Duri (Kota Baru Utara), Kampung Keling (Kota Baru Selatan) and Sungai Kemasin (Bachok) to help farmers irrigate their padi fields,” he said.

He also said Kada has distributed nearly 500 portable pumps to all farmers in affected areas as they are worried that their padi crops would be destroyed due to drought.

“In this prolonged hot spell, Kada and farmers will cooperate to ensure padi that was planted in early January can be harvested in May or June.

“I wish to express my thanks to farmers for their willingness to construct their own pipe system to avoid further loss of their padi crops,” he added. – Bernama, May 30, 2023.