KOTA BARU: The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry has directed its agencies managing padi farming to take measures to handle the adverse effects of the El Nino phenomenon.
Deputy Minister Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said the agencies should revise schedules on planting and irrigation of farms to ensure the padi plants would not be ruined by a potentially long dry season.
He said agencies, such as Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority in Kelantan, had been told to carry out study on areas most likely to be affected by the El Nino.
“Early preparation should be made for farming management, such as determining the best time to channel water to the fields and harvest the crop,” he said after opening the annual general meeting of Jaya Peringat Area Farmers Organisation (AFO) here yesterday.
He said the government had set aside RM15 million to build tube wells in areas with irrigation problems during prolonged dry spell
“More than 70 tube wells can be constructed as RM200,000 is expected to be spent on each well.”
Tajuddin said even if the forecast of El Nino fell short, the tube wells could still be used by the people in the surrounding areas for household use.
On another note, he said AFO in various padi farming areas in the country should form consortiums as a vehicle for farmers to branch out to wider rice production business.
“They should have their own rice processing factory and venture into the supply chain down to retailing and have their own brand of rice for the market.”
He said the farmers’ children, who had graduated from universities, could participate in the business by contributing their knowledge.