BERNAMA file photo
ALOR SETAR: Dilapidated irrigation and drainage infrastructure in cultivation areas of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) must be upgraded at once to ensure the success of the "five seasons in two years” paddy cultivation initiative, area farmers say.
Ahmad Bakar, 71, who has been growing padi here for more than 30 years, said most of Mada’s irrigation and drainage infrastructure was built 30 to 40 years ago.
"A good deal of it is in poor condition and needs to be replaced, but a lack of allocation has caused the quality and level of maintenance to be unsatisfactory.
"This infrastructure needs to be upgraded to meet the current needs of farmers. When the government commits to upgrade the infrastructure with an allocation of RM3bil, that is what we are all waiting for," he said Friday (July 28).
Syahmi Azhar, 34, said the issue of poor road conditions in Mada areas also required attention because it had an impact on crop production.
"There are potholes on the roads, so riding a motorcycle while carrying equipment and seeds is difficult, especially if you are alone. Due to these poor road conditions, some farmers have fallen (off their machines).
"It is hoped that the allocation will be fully utilised for the benefit of Mada farmers because if the cultivation initiative is successful, it will bring more income and returns to the state (Kedah) as well as the country,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when announcing the Madani Economy: Empowering the People initiative on Thursday (July 27), said the government was committed to improving irrigation infrastructure in Perlis and Kedah's Mada areas to increase rice production to five seasons' worth within two years.
The infrastructure allocation was worth RM3bil. – Bernama
