The Star 3 Mar 19;
KOTA BELUD: Padi fields in some places in Sabah have dried up due to the hot and dry spell affecting the country.
A visit to Kampung Tempasuk Dua here found that some padi fields have dried up due to insufficient water supply.
Rice farmers are concerned whether the current weather condition will last until April as some had planted their crops a fortnight ago.
Madili Riou, 55, said the hot weather and lack of rain have been challenging as he must ensure ample supply of water for his 1.2ha plot.
Madili, who planted a new crop in mid-February, said that initially, there was enough water, adding that he never expected conditions to turn so dry.
“I hope something will be done soon because some of the planted crops are almost dying due to the lack of water supply,” he added.
Another farmer, Susah Tiampou, 65, said the lack of water in the fields was also due to upgrading works carried out on irrigation channels in some areas.
Susah, who has a 0.8ha plot, said other farmers were also ploughing, which needed sufficient water supply.
“Many padi fields in this village are big and the farmers need water for their crops, especially now during the dry season.
“The situation is still under control for the time being but we worry what will happen in the next one week,” he added.
Kota Belud Integrated Agriculture Development Area director Salmah Labulla said she was aware of the conditions faced by the rice farmers in the district, adding that several measures would be taken.
“This includes pumping water into the fields using mobile pumps, especially in areas where the crops have just been planted,” said Salmah during the interview.
The planting schedule for rice in the area would also be postponed for the time being until the weather returned to normal, added Salmah.
“We also advised the farmers to work their fields using other methods during this dry season,” she said.
The hot and dry season in Sabah is expected to go on until the end of March, except in a few areas such as Kudat, Sandakan and Tawau where it is expected to last until April. — Bernama
Sandakan faces 24th consecutive day with no rain; rest of Sabah equally parched
MOHD IZHAM UNNIP ABDULLAH New Straits Times 2 Mar 19;
KOTA KINABALU: The severe dry spell in Sabah grinds on with a large part of the state left parched by weeks of no rain.
Sandakan is perhaps the worst hit, with the northeast city receiving no rainfall for a stunning 23 consecutive days.
Almost as badly affected is Tungku town in Lahad Datu, where it has not rained for 22 days; followed by Tumunong Hallu, Lahad Datu (18 days); the Lahad Datu Meteorology Station (17 days); and Kota Kinabatangan, Kinabatangan (17 days).
Rain last fell eight days ago at the Wario Cultivation Centre in Kota Belud; nine days ago at the Ranau Meteorology Station; and 10 days ago at Laban Rata, Mount Kinabalu.
Other locations in the state which have gone for at least 10 consecutive days without rain include Semporna; the Serinsim Substation in Kota Marudu; the Mesilau Agriculture Department in Kundasang; and the Tiger Farm and Meteorology Station at Tawau Airport.
“Overall, total rainfall has declined by between 40 and 50 per cent throughout Sabah this month, especially in the north, east and north western coast.
“For other areas, precipitation has declined by between 20 and 40 per cent,” said Sabah Meteorology director Azemi Daud.
Meanwhile, the department has forecast that hot and dry conditions will persist in the state until the end of April.
Azemi explained that the situation, which could even stretch into May, is connected to the weak El Nino phenomenon.
The weather emergency has led to water shortages in some areas, and Kota Belud district has declared a state of drought.
Sufficient food supply during dry spell: Fama
Nur Aqidah Azizi New Straits Times 2 Mar 19;
SEREMBAN: The Federal Agriculture Marketing Board (Fama) has ensured there are sufficient food stocks in place to meet the needs of consumers if the dry spell continues nationwide.
Its director-general Datuk Ahmad Ishak said although the hot weather, which is expected to continue until the end of April, was unlikely to result in a decline of crop yields, Fama had nevertheless taken precautionary measures to ensure the supply of food such as fruits and vegetables was sufficient.
“We have our own stores to keep food stocks which can be used in times of need.
“The government, too, has given us the approval to import food from other countries if we are facing a decrease in the local market,” he said.
He said at the moment, vegetables, fruits and other raw food supplies were sufficient despite claims by certain parties that the dry spell had affected crop yields.
He was speaking to reporters after launching Negri Sembilan’s My Best Buy (MBB) and Direct Sales 2019 at state FAMA Office here today.
Also present was State Agriculture and Agro-based Industry chairman Bakri Sawir.
Meanwhile, Bakri said, the MBB programme would be expanded to other districts in the state soon, following the success of its maiden venture held for two days here, starting yesterday.
“The prices of items sold here are 5 to 20 per cent lower than those offered at markets. We are planning to organise it in Jelebu after Seremban and this effort was undertaken by the state government to help the people,” he said.
Kelantan to buy water from Terengganu
Bernama New Straits Times 2 Mar 19;
PASIR MAS: The Kelantan government will buy water from Terengganu if there is shortage of supply in the state because of the current hot weather, said Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
Ahmad said he had discussed the matter with Terengganu Menteri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, but declined to furnish the details.
“We have a friend in Terengganu and I have discussed it with the (Terengganu) menteri besar...probably, there’ll be a memorandum for us (Kelantan) to buy water from Terengganu,” he told reporters after opening Haji Ibrahim Mosque at Kampung Jalah, Bunut Susu, here today.
In a related development, Ahmad said the state government had also discussed with state water concessionaire, Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB), and the state Drainage and Irrigation Department on the current hot weather and its effect on the state’s water supply.
On whether the current hot weather affected agricultural activities in the state, Ahmad said the federal government would provide the necessary assistance to those who were affected.
On another matter, Ahmad, who is also Pas deputy spiritual leader, said the allegation on Pas receiving RM90 million suspected to be money from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) state investment fund had not adversely affected the people’s support for the party. - BERNAMA
Farmers hit hard by dry weather
SUZIANAH JIFFAR New Straits Times 4 Mar 19;
KOTA BELUD: The prolonged dry weather in Sabah is affecting farmers in the district.
Checks at Kampung Tempasuk 2 and Kampung Sangkir here revealed that rice fields had cracked from lack of water due to the scorching heat for nearly a month now.
Several farmers have expressed fears that if the hot weather persisted, it would do more damage to the rice fields and affect rice yields.
Stephanie Tiapa, 41, from Kampung Rinig, Tempasuk 2, said she started planting for the new season last month and was facing the prospects of poor yields.
The mother of three children, who worked a rice field of about one hectare, said it was a challenge to get enough water, especially during the dry season.
“I hope the hot weather does not continue, so that it won’t affect farmers like me,” she said.
Another farmer, Rohaya Sabri, 28, said the drought could cause the surface of rice fields to crack.
“If it is damaged, it will be harder to replant. However, our problems in this area are not just during the dry seasons, but also on ordinary days (including when it rains).”
Kota Belud Integrated Agricultural Development Area director Salmah Labulla said the hot weather was affecting the farmers, which was made worse by receding river water because there was no rain.
“If the hot weather persists until next month, my advice to farmers is to delay padi replanting in the area until normal weather returns.
“This includes irrigating the rice fields using mobile pumps, especially in areas where new planting has started,” she added.
Salmah said usually during hot weather, farmers were advised to do other work, such as cleaning and doing repair work while waiting for better weather conditions.
