ALOR STAR: Recent floods in Kedah and Perlis have impacted over 2,900 farmers and devastated nearly 6,000 hectares of padi fields under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said preliminary assessments put losses at about RM40 million to all agricultural activities, with further evaluations ongoing.
He said the floods, intensified by climate change, had struck unexpectedly early in the padi planting season, with heavier rain occurring over a shorter period.
"This year's floods were unexpected. Typically, the floods occur around October but this time, it happened in mid-September, causing padi crops, that were ready to be harvested, to be submerged.
"At the peak of the floods on Sept 21, 5,915.53 hectares of padi crops were affected, involving 2,928 farmers in Mada areas," he told reporters after distributing Madani Food Basket aid to affected farmers at the Tajar Farmer's Organisation Area office today.
Mohamad assured that the ministry, with other agencies, will expedite assistance following a thorough analysis of the situation.
"The prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) will also chair a meeting in November to discuss food security, with the recent Kedah floods being a major topic of concern," he added.
The floods that hit the state this month affected over 8,400 people across seven districts during its peak, with many calling it the worst floods in 14 years.
Mohamad said the ministry had requested RM400 million to be allocated through the 2025 Budget for infrastructure upgrades in non-Mada padi areas to tackle flood issues.
"We'll have to wait and see if the Finance Ministry approves it, but it's crucial to enhance irrigation systems in areas outside Mada. He said Mada was working on a long-term project worth approximately RM5 billion to improve drainage systems, and that is ongoing," he said.
He said the ministry was exploring padi farming projects in Sabah and Sarawak to ensure national food security, reducing reliance on Kedah as the country's main rice producer.