Worrying time for farmers
KOTA BELUD: The current hot weather is affecting the nation and in Sabah, padi fields in Kampung Tempasuk Dua, near here, are all drying up as there have been no rains for over a month.
A Bernama survey showed that there were padi fields that had dried up, the soil hardened and cracked, as there was no adequate water supply to irrigate the crops.
Many farmers have also expressed their concern that the current weather conditions may continue until April, considering that they had planted new padi seedlings two weeks ago.
Madili Riou, 55, is not denying that the hot weather and the lack of showers have been a challenge for him in getting enough water supply to sufficiently irrigate his 1.2 hectare padi field.
“It has been about a month since it rained and what is worrying is that if it continues like this, the yield and quality of the padi will be affected and we will face losses,” he said.
Another farmer, Susah Tiampou, 65, said another factor that attributed to the problem was the work that was being carried out on the water drainage system in the vicinity, besides the water flow to the respective padi fields was also by rotation.
He said there were other farmers who were now ploughing their land and they required an adequate supply of water.
“The situation is still under control, but it is worrying that if there is no water released within a week to our padi fields, our crops will die,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kota Belud Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Director Salmah Labulla said that she was aware of the situation and proactive steps would be taken to address the problem.
They would include irrigation to padi fields by using mobile pumps especially in areas that have just begun re-planting, she said. The hot weather and the lack of rain is expected to continue until March, except in some areas namely Kudat, Sandakan and Tawau where it will continue until April.