KOTA BARU: A total of 1,085 farmers under the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) have been affected by the ongoing drought in several districts in Kelantan, involving a total of 3,638ha of padi fields.
Kada chairman Khalid Abdul Samad said the affected areas include Kota Baru Utara (KBU), Kota Baru Selatan (KBS), Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Pasir Mas and Tumpat.
"Overall, only about 15% of KAda areas are affected, with most areas still receiving sufficient water supply, except for several remote locations such as Kampung Belukar Tanjung Puri, which are facing irrigation disruptions," he told reporters at the Kada office here on Monday (March 30).
Khalid said that as a mitigation measure, the operation of Kemubu Pump 4 has, since February, channelled significant water supply to padi fields, especially when water levels in the Kelantan River are low.
"Kemubu Pump 4 can operate at a minimum level of 1m, compared with Kemubu Pumps 1 and 2, which require higher water levels of 4m and 3.5m respectively.
"The delay in the completion of the Kemubu Pump 3 project by the contractor has also been one of the factors limiting the capability of the existing irrigation system.
"However, once completed, irrigation issues are expected to be addressed more effectively," he said.
He added that Kada would continue to monitor the situation and ensure that all assistance is delivered effectively to safeguard padi production and the welfare of farmers.
Meanwhile, a farmer from KBU, Hafizul Daud, 50, said the main issue in Tanjung Puri is the failure of the irrigation system to channel water to higher-lying fields, forcing farmers to rely on tube well pumps, which incur high costs.
"The cost of using pump engines is very high, and many of us cannot afford it as the capital needed for padi cultivation is already substantial. If this situation continues, it will be difficult for us to sustain," he said. – Bernama
