ALOR STAR: The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) has planned immediate desilting operations along a 2,000-metre stretch in Alor Mengkuang, Pendang, in response to persistent irrigation issues in the area.
This comes after some 20 padi farmers in Kampung Alor Ali and Kampung Tok Pauh, Pendang, complained about clogged irrigation channels in the area that have plagued them for the past five years.
In a statement today, Mada said that based on investigations, the affected area, which involved the Alor Mengkuang irrigation channel, falls under the jurisdiction of Mada C-III Tajar Area Farmers Organisation (PPK).
"The total area of the padi fields in the block is 351.96 hectares, and the irrigation channels are essentially natural channels maintained by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID).
"Nevertheless, Mada also assumes responsibility for the maintenance of these channels to support farmers in their padi cultivation activities," it stated.
Mada clarified that in April 2024, it had taken steps to desilt a 6,000m channel in Alor Tok Pauh to address the irrigation issues faced by farmers in the area.
"As a record, desilting works along a 4,137m stretch in Alor Ali, Parit Susur Alor Ali and Parit Bonggol Tok Ali were completed in August 2023.
"Mada also heightened the left bank of Sungai Pendang along a 2,000m stretch and completed in February 2024," it said.
Mada assured that for long-term solutions, it had requested DID to undertake extensive clearing, desilting and bank construction works along Sungai Pendang.
"This will involve areas along the river, from Tanah Merah aqueducts to Sungai Kedah, covering a distance of 23 km.
"Additionally, this problem can be resolved by constructing a 'Drainage End Control' structure at the end of Alor Mengkuang irrigation channel to Sungai Pendang and a drainage pump station at the end of Alor Mengkuang irrigation channel to Sungai Pendang," it added.
Mada also assured that it was concerned about the problems faced by the farmers in Kampung Alor Ali and Kampung Tok Pauh.
On Sunday, it was reported that the affected farmers claimed to have suffered tens of thousands of ringgit in losses each season due to their over 30 hectares of padi fields being flooded. (hyperlink: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1055536/pendang-padi-farmers-...)