ALOR SETAR: The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) has agreed to implement ‘dry direct seeding’ as an alternative method for padi cultivation for the 1/2020 season due to the water shortage in Kedah.
Mada chairman and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the decision was taken at the Mada board meeting because the water levels at the Pedu, Muda and Ahning dams were low and insufficient for normal planting methods.
“Normally, irrigation of the padi crop for each season depends on the water supply from the dams. However, we are being deprived of rainfall for the first half of this year and Mada needs at least 550,000 acre-feet of stored water in the catchment area.
“Mada also has an obligation to secure the supply of raw water for domestic purposes and when the water level in the Pedu Dam reaches 29%, water release for padi cultivation is halted,” he said in a statement here today.
Mukhriz said to date, the water level in Pedu Dam is 37.18%, Muda Dam 5.88% and Ahning Dam 56.86%.
“Determining the water supply schedule and padi planting season 1/2020 will be discussed jointly by Mada and the farmers at a meeting on Feb 20. All factors including historical data analysis, rainfall forecast, valid supply of padi seeds and subsidised fertiliser will be taken into account.
“In addition, the Mada development team will initiate a strategic development campaign to explain the implementation of the dry direct seeding method to all farmers,” he added. – Feb 10, 2020, Bernama
