ALOR STAR: Padi farmers from Kuala Sungai Area Farmer's Organisation (PPK) are concerned that the anxiously anticipated El Nino phenomenon would have a devastating impact on their lives.
The farmers, already badly affected by rising operations cost and poor irrigation canal management by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), fear that a prolonged dry spell could affect more than 1,000 padi smallholders.
Ahmad Saat, 62, who has been a padi farmer for more than 40 years, said that the impending situation was unprecedented and could affect about 1500 "relongs" (a plot of land of approximately 0.29ha) of padi fields.
"They were supposed to conduct regular clearing operations in the Kuala Sungai irrigation canal five times a year, but in reality, they would come here to maintain the water lines for only twice a year.
"It's actually been a problem for the past 20 years now, it's so bad that we would have to fork out about RM1,000 of our own money to conduct the maintenance ourselves and purchase our own water pumps to supply water to our crops.
"Our families are already affected by rising costs of operations and extra 'unnecessary' costs to maintain the irrigation canal, but this El Nino phenomenon could really hurt us," he told the New Straits Times when met at the Kuala Sungai PPK Irrigation Canal here today.
Ahmad, who manages about 100 "relongs" of padi fields, pleaded with the Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu to upgrade the Kuala Sungai PPK irrigation canal to effectively alleviate the farmers' plight.
"Right now we really hope the government can come down here and see the true situation farmers are facing. If they can help manage these irrigation canals, it would help us a lot," he added.
He said government handouts were ineffective in improving farmers' financial situation as landlords would raise their rental rates each time the government announced handouts.
"We only rent these fields. Each time the government announces the handouts, our landlords would raise rental fees by about RM50," he added.
Another farmer Kassim Murad, 56, feared that the El Nino phenomenon would completely destroy his crops, putting him in a difficult spot financially.
"We haven't been able to grow our crops right now because of the poor irrigation canal management, imagine what will happen during El Nino?"
"Each time our crops fail, we have to start again by fertilising our soil and planting new seeds, that would cost us extra RM200 per 'relong', it's a lot of money to spend," said Kassim who manages 70 "relongs" of padi fields.
Meanwhile, Mada has assured that the expected dry spell caused by the El-Nino phenomenon this month will not affect the padi cultivation activities in all Muda agricultural areas.
Mada in a statement today said that the overall water supply status in Muda area reservoirs would sufficiently meet the needs of padi farming activities for the first padi farming season of the year.
According to Mada, so far, the progress of agricultural land preparation activities have not been affected despite lower amounts of rainfall in the Muda area from January to early May, which recorded only 343mm compared to the 20-year average rainfall of 439 mm.
However, Mada said it would remain vigilant of changing weather conditions and was prepared in case the El Nino phenomenon occurred as predicted by the Meteorology Department (METMalaysia).
"If El Nino does occur, we will ensure that the water supply is properly distributed according to the established phases.
"We will also maximise the use of water recycling pumping stations to conserve water supply from the reservoirs," it said.
Mada added that it would operate mobile water pumping stations to supply water to areas at higher elevations and to areas with water supply issues.
State Public Works, Water Supply and Water Resources, Irrigation and Drainage and Energy Committee Chairman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria said
that the state government would look into carrying out cloud seeding operations to manage the anticipated dry spell.
He said such measures were necessary due to the harsh weather conditions that might adversely affect the health and livelihood of many Kedahans.
"We are closely monitoring the situation, Insyaallah we will take care of this situation.
"In the meantime, I advise Kedahans to remain indoors and remain hydrated during these harsh conditions," he added.