KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is stepping up maintenance and repairs of agricultural roads and irrigation systems nationwide.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the ministry is addressing complaints from paddy farmers.
He said modern mechanisms for cleaning canals and drains are being introduced.
“In the paddy sector, we acknowledge the concerns raised. These issues need improvement, and the ministry is introducing modern methods, particularly for clearing canals and drains,” he added on Monday (Dec1).
He said additional allocations are necessary and available funds will be fully used.
The ministry has RM162.1mil in 2025 to maintain and rehabilitate agricultural roads.
It will also maintain irrigation and drainage systems in main and outside paddy areas nationwide.
Of this, RM104.7mil has been channelled to IADA, MADA and KADA to manage main paddy areas.
RM57.4mil is allocated to JPS, LPP and LPNM for areas outside the main paddy zones.
Allocations follow each agency’s maintenance responsibilities.
Cleaning canals and water channels will be done by the responsible agency.
The ministry stressed the importance of regular upkeep of roads and irrigation infrastructure.
It said this ensures areas are maintained as required and improves facilities and farmers’ welfare.
