ARAU: The installation of an electric and diesel pump station, along with 15 mobile emergency pumps, is expected to help address the perennial problem of flooded padi fields in Perlis during the monsoon season.
State Agriculture, Plantation and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Razali Saad said the initiative was part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the issue, which affects nearly 3,233ha of padi under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).
“The main aim is to expedite the outflow of water from the fields so that padi crops are not damaged. With this measure, we hope to reduce the impact of floods on farmers whenever their fields are inundated.
“Such incidents typically occur during heavy rains from May to June and September to November,” he told reporters after inspecting sites in Kampung Telaga Haji Latif, Kampung Telok and Kampung Paloh in Guar Sanji today with Mada representatives.
He said past floods had highlighted the urgent need to expedite long-planned drainage upgrades in the area.
“We expect the project to begin next month and be completed by May next year,” he said.
Razali added that the move would allow farmers to plant padi according to Mada’s planting schedule, avoiding delays that could disrupt production.
“With these facilities in place, farmers, especially those in this area, will be able to follow the scheduled planting phases, which is crucial to improving yields,” he said.
In November last year, continuous rainfall over several days inundated 3,233ha of padi fields in Mada’s Zone I territory in Perlis.
The floods damaged a large portion of crops, affecting 1,100 farmers and residents, some of whom had to bear the additional cost of replanting.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
