ALOR STAR: The Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) is considering the development of a riverside water catchment project to ensure a long-term water supply for Mada areas.
Mada chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said this project aims to store raw water on riversides for extended periods and provide water supply during dry spells.
He said that despite the current normal water levels in the three Mada-managed dams, long-term strategies are crucial due to climate change.
"Kelantan lacks dams like ours, which is why they need riverside water catchments to store river water during the rainy season.
"With riverside water catchments and the ongoing Jeniang Water Transfer project, we can meet future water needs for agriculture, domestic, and industrial use," he said at a press conference today.
Meanwhile, Dr Ismail gave his assurance that the water supply available for padi irrigation in the Muda area until the second padi cultivation season this year is sufficient based on previous records.
"However, Mada advises farmers to adhere to the padi planting schedule to ensure effective water use and prevent wastage.
"When following the schedule, farmers can maximise their crop yields while preserving water," he said.
Up to today, the overall water storage status in Mada-managed dams is 41.97 per cent, with Pedu Dam at 37 per cent, Muda Dam at 7.4 per cent and Ahning Dam at 80.76 per cent.