IPOH: Padi farmers in Kerian are expressing concern about the current hot weather, which is causing critical levels at the Bukit Merah Dam.
Farmer and Parit Abas unit chief Ishak Yunus, 66, said this has forced the postponement of irrigation water supply for the new planting season, placing pressure on farmers who have already invested in land preparation and the purchase of padi seeds.
He said the water supply, initially scheduled to begin on March 25, had now been delayed to April 8 but farmers are concerned that the date may be pushed back further if there is no significant rainfall.
"We are worried that water for irrigation will be delayed again. We were supposed to start on March 25 and if it is postponed to April 8, that is already a two-week delay.
"Our yields have already dropped significantly. If planting is delayed, harvesting will also be delayed. We do not have a fixed income," he said on Sunday (March 29).
Farmers in the Kuala Kurau area said they are now taking the initiative to switch to more resilient paddy varieties to avoid wastage.
"Given the situation, we are switching to more resilient paddy varieties, where water in the fields will not be drained to reduce the risk of water shortage," said Shaiful Shahrin Ahmad Pauzi, 42.
Another farmer, Mohd Ehsan Khairudin, 41, said delaying irrigation not only increases herbicide costs due to faster weed growth but also affects the quality of padi seed germination, as the seeds would have been stored for too long.
He said farmers are feeling the pressure as most operate under a deferred payment system, with payments only settled after the harvest season.
"We are heeding the advice from the Kerian Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) to use water prudently. However, we are still concerned if this hot weather continues, as it could further disrupt the planting schedule," said Mohd Ehsan.
Meanwhile, Perak DID director Dr Asnor Muizan Ishak said the Kerian DID had recommended postponing the water supply schedule by two weeks from the original schedule for compartments that have yet to begin planting.
He said the recommendation was presented at a water supply rescheduling meeting chaired by the Kerian Integrated Agricultural Development Area, which agreed to the revised schedule based on the Bukit Merah Dam's current Critical Irrigation Level 1 status.
"This requires continuous monitoring, disciplined water release management and prudent use of water resources," he said.
Asnor Muizan said adjustments to the water supply schedule, along with the use of alternative sources such as pumps, are crucial to ensure the sustainability of irrigation supply during the dry period.
He added that cooperation from all parties, particularly dam operations teams, irrigation management and related agencies, is crucial to ensure operations run safely, efficiently and effectively.
Earlier, the Kerian DID, in a Facebook post, said the current water level at Bukit Merah Dam is at Critical Irrigation Level 1, measuring 6.995m, below the alert level of 7.62m, while the normal level under standard operating procedures for irrigation supply is 8.69m. – Bernama
