Malacca padi farmers affected by lack of good irrigation system


The Kampung Pinang rice farmers group says farmers in the area hope the Malacca government could speed up the promised irrigation project or build a concrete drain to channel water from Sungai Klebang to the rice fields. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, June 4, 2023.

MORE than 30 padi farmers cultivating their crop in an area of more than 145ha (hectares) in Kampung Pinang, Batang Tiga in Malacca have been affected as they are unable to carry out planting activities due to the lack of good irrigation system as well as the hot spell for the past few months.

The head of the Kampung Pinang rice farmers group Mohd Shakirin Mohd Zan, 37, said the padi fields lack water and the ploughing and sowing process which should have been done in April was disrupted.

He said the situation also caused some of the crops planted during the previous season to not be harvested as their growth was stunted (padi bentat) affecting the livelihoods of the mostly full-time farmers.

“Rice cultivation activities can normally be done twice a year, in April and November, but we are facing a lack of water for more than 10 years.

“This has not only hindered planting activities, but also the quality of the harvested rice is low,” he told reporters today.

Besides that, they are also facing other risks such as damaged padi seeds, and the threat of pigeons and rats, he said.

Shakirin said padi farmers in the area hoped that the state government could speed up the promised irrigation project or build a concrete drain to channel water from Sungai Klebang to the rice fields.

He said it is crucial to do so as it will save the farmers whose livelihood solely depends on rice cultivation as well as help the government increase rice production to ensure the country’s food security.

Musa Arib, 63, said he had to fork out extra expenses to buy water barrels to provide water to his 3.6ha padi field, adding he had to face the risk of damaged padi seeds if he failed to cultivate the crop according to schedule as the seeds can only last six months.

“Farmers incur losses when there is no sufficient source of water supply. I have been facing this situation for the past 16 years and have almost given up.

“We are almost at our wit’s end. We ask the government to help us because most of the farmers here have been cultivating padi for a long time and we are helping the government increase the country’s food supply,” he added. – Bernama, June 4, 2023.


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