Low water level causes Kerian farmers to fear for their crop

 The farmers in Perak's rice bowl area say they are feeling the pressure as they have bought seeds and invested in preparing the land.

Low water level at an irrigation canal that channels water to padi fields from the Bukit Merah dam in Perak. (Bernama pic)

IPOH:

 Low water level at the Bukit Merah dam has led to a postponement of irrigation water supplies, causing farmers in the Kerian rice bowl area to fear that the new planting season will be delayed.

Ishak Yunus, 66, a farmer and Parit Abas unit chief, said the dam was now at critical irrigation level 1, and the low level has forced the postponement of irrigation water supply for the new planting season.

He said farmers are feeling the pressure after having bought padi seeds and invested in preparing the land for planting.

The Kerian district in Perak is Malaysia’s second-largest padi farming area, with more than 41,000 hectares (about 410 sq km) of padi fields managed as an integrated agricultural development area.

The water level at the Bukit Merah dam is currently at 6.995m, below the alert level of 7.62m, while the normal level for irrigation supply is 8.69m.

Ishak said the irrigation water was initially scheduled to flow on March 25, but has been delayed to April 8. Farmers are concerned that the date may be pushed back further if there is no heavy rainfall in the area.

“Our yields have already dropped significantly, and if planting is delayed, harvesting will also be delayed. We do not have a fixed income,” he said.

Farmers in the Kuala Kurau area said they are now taking the initiative to switch to more resilient padi varieties, that do not need the flooded fields to be drained, reducing the risk of water shortages.

Shaiful Shahrin Ahmad Pauzi, 42, said this approach allows water in the fields to be retained rather than drained, as is the usual practice, given the difficulty of securing water supply if the hot weather persists.

Another Kuala Kurau farmer, Ehsan Khairudin, 41, said the delay in the irrigation schedule not only increases herbicide costs due to faster weed growth but also affects the quality of padi seed germination, as the seeds have been stored for too long.

He said farmers are feeling pressured by the situation, as most operate under a deferred payment system, with payments only settled after the harvest season.

“We heed the advice from the Kerian irrigation and drainage department (DID) to use water prudently. However, we are still concerned because if this hot weather continues, it could further disrupt the planting schedule,” said Ehsan.

Perak DID director Asnor Muizan Ishak said the postponement of irrigation water supply was recommended by Kerian DID for compartments that have yet to begin planting and was accepted at a meeting chaired by the Kerian Integrated Agricultural Development Area.

“The critical condition of the dam requires continuous monitoring, disciplined water release management, and prudent use of water resources,” he said.

Asnor said adjustments to the water supply schedule, along with the use of alternative sources such as pumps, are crucial to ensure the sustainability of irrigation supply during the dry period. - FMT