Ruined fields: Mat Razi Bahari, 58, from Gunung Hilir village showing his damaged padi due to the flood and overflowing high tide at Mount Keriang during a flood survey around Sungai Baru. — Bernama
ALOR SETAR: The national rice output is at risk if flooding issues are not addressed promptly, says the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada).
Its chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the country’s latest self-sufficiency rate (SSR) for rice stood at 56.2% in 2023, which was still far behind the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s target of achieving an SSR of 75% by 2025.
He said the SSR for this year could be worse due to the recent deluge affecting padi fields under Mada’s jurisdiction, adding that uncertain weather conditions and the spread of diseases were also reasons that contributed to the declining SSR for rice.
Ismail outlined two long-term solutions that could enhance flood management and protect padi fields in the state.
He believes 90% of the flood problems in Kota Setar, Kubang Pasu and Padang Terap districts could be resolved once the Sungai Anak Bukit flood mitigation project is completed.
“This project must be expedited as it has been dragging on for many years without completion.
“The river that flows from areas in Padang Terap, Pedu and Jitra can be diverted to Sungai Anak Bukit once the project is completed. It can solve 90% of flood issues there,” he said.
In Pendang district, Ismail said completing the flood mitigation projects in Sungai Choras and Kota Sarang Semut would be crucial to address flooding issues that affect both padi farmers and residents.
“Several small rivers face significant challenges due to the relatively flat terrain, which affects their flow and drainage capabilities. During dry periods, farmers living near the rivers also experience difficulties, as the smaller, slow-moving rivers hinder efficient water flow,” he said.
In terms of short-term solutions, Ismail said the Irrigation and Drainage Department should conduct river deepening at Sungai Pendang to enhance its currents and improve its flow towards the state’s main river.
Floods affected 2,074 padi farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry in Kedah last month.
The floods also affected nearly 6,000ha of padi fields, damaging crops that were almost ready for harvest and threatening the country’s rice supply.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu had said that under Budget 2025, the ministry would seek about RM400mil to enhance infrastructure and drainage systems in areas outside the main padi fields as part of a long-term strategy to address rice supply shortages, particularly in the wake of natural disasters.
Based on the latest Mada statistics on the padi submersion monitoring report for the Muda area as of Sept 29, a total of 5,915ha of padi fields were affected by floods involving 2,928 Mada farmers in Kedah and Perlis.
To alleviate the burden on the affected farmers, the government is providing assistance through the Padi Crop Disaster Fund, with the amount of aid depending on the age of the padi crop.
The estimated assistance ranges from RM876 to RM1,800 per hectare, with each eligible farmer limited to 3ha per planting season.
