Malaysia: Low water levels at dams in Kedah, Mada executes dry direct seeding method

EMBUN MAJID New Straits Times 24 Jan 17;

ALOR STAR: The Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) will be implementing the dry direct seeding method in the first planting season for this year following the low water level recorded at its three dams in Kedah.

Its chairman Datuk Othman Aziz said the water level at Muda, Pedu and Ahning dams were recorded at 56.21 per cent, a plunge of 29 per cent as compared to the amount of water reserve recorded in the same period last year.

“The amount of water is not sufficient to cover the first farming season that will begin in March, so we have informed farmers under Mada to use the dry direct seeding method,” he told newsmen after delivering his new year address to Mada staff here today.

He said the dry direct seeding method would affect all 70,000 farmers working on 100,000 hectare of paddy land under Mada.

On another note, Othman said the ministry has agreed to look into the role played by the National Paddy and Rice Board (LPN) to monitor and control the country’s rice production. He said this would ensure that the rice quality and also the farmers’ hard work are protected.