Malaysia: Logging and sand mining led to RM60m loss, say farmers

New Straits Times 24 Jul 13;

PADI PRODUCTION: Main water source for fields drying up due to sand mining

KOTA BARU: CONTINUED logging and sand mining have been said to be the main factors for the shallowing and sedimentation of Sungai Kelantan to the extent of hampering work to irrigate padi fields in the state.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that of greatest concern was the reduction in annual padi production, which resulted in padi farmers incurring losses.

"This was not created deliberately to bring down the Kelantan government. If the state doesn't cooperate with the Federal Government to tackle the issue, it will not end and the Kelantan people will continue to be the victims.

"Each year, we dig out mud opposite the pump house using hundreds of lorries.

"I urge the state government to assist the people in the state and not to depend on the Federal Government alone to do it," he said after a briefing and breaking of fast at the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) here yesterday evening.

Present were Kada general manager Ibrahim Mat and Kok Lanas state assemblyman Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad.

Ismail Sabri said total padi production under Kada's supervision had dropped from 205,000 metric tonnes to 192,000 metric tonnes and this had not only affected farmers but also the state and country.

He said his ministry would endeavour to find the best approach to resolve the problem.

Yesterday, more than 3,000 farmers in the Kada area were reported to have lost revenue amounting to about RM60 million when 10,000ha out of 18,900ha of padi fields could not be cultivated due to the drying of the water source from Sungai Kelantan.

They comprised farmers in three districts, namely Pasir Puteh, Bachok and Kota Baru. Bernama