Water supply for distressed paddy farmers in Kota Belud

KOTA KINABALU: Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Junz Wong said that efforts are being taken to ensure that Kota Belud paddy farmers will get enough water supply before the next planting season.

The current dry season is expected to continue throughout the month and in some areas until April. It was reported it has not rained in Kota Belud for almost a month.

“I understand the situation experienced by the farmers. Although the drought is something beyond our control, we are finding ways to alleviate the plight of the farmers,” Junz said on Sunday.

“My officers are on the ground looking for the best way to channel water to the affected paddy fields.

“We will try our best to help the farmers, but the farmers must also maintain their paddy fields,” he added.

Junz also said the ministry would look at the situation holistically and appoint consultants to study the flood and water supply to paddy fields as well as households.

“Studies will be approved by the Economic Planning Unit soon but this is the future planning to address the flood and water supply issues in Kota Belud,” he said.

Paddy fields in Kampung Tempasuk Dua, near Kota Belud, are all drying up as there have been no rains for over a month.

A survey showed that there were paddy 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 paddy seedlings two weeks ago.