PUTRAJAYA: A total of 65% of padi cultivation areas under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) are now ready for the planting season, with farmers expected to begin sowing seeds after Hari Raya Aidiladha.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said that based on observations during his visit to Perlis on Sunday, padi fields had started receiving water supplies, indicating that planting activities could proceed after Aidiladha.
“There is already water in the plots, and water levels at the dams have started to rise. I am confident they will be able to begin planting in the near future,” he told Bernama after launching the Kebuniti Agricultural Information Centre or Gardentopia, a community garden model featuring a rooftop garden concept, here yesterday.
He was responding to a news report on Sunday stating that only 10% of the 56,000 padi farmers in Kedah, including those in the Mada area, had begun planting activities so far, while the remaining 90% were still postponing the process due to weather concerns.
“Farmers want their crops to produce good yields. But based on the current situation, I think there is sufficient water supply.
“These weather conditions are difficult to predict. Sometimes rain is forecast in the morning, but it only comes at night. So we hope they will be able to start planting soon,” he said, adding that Mada is closely monitoring the situation.
Commenting on concerns over rising operating costs, Mohamad said the government has always taken note of the issue and continues to provide assistance.
On Gardentopia, he said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the national food security agenda through the involvement of local communities and civil servants.
He said the initiative is also in line with the ministry’s aspiration to cultivate domestic agriculture and empower farming practices among the people through the Home Garden (Kendiri) campaign, which carries the slogan “Plant What We Eat, Eat What We Plant”.
