An action committee has urged the Kelantan government to immediately resolve what it claims to be the state’s worsening environmental problem which has reduced water supply to the extent of causing padi farmers to forgo planting the crop.
The Action Committee on Caring for Rivers, Beaches and the Environment (MSPKAS) claimed that numerous padi-growing areas in the Kemubu Agricultural Development Area (Kada) were without adequate water supply for padi cultivation.
Its chairman, Mohd Noor Ibrahim, said many of the padi farmers had suffered losses as they were unable to produce any yield this year.
“This is due to the failure of the relevant authorities to undertake environmental conservation in the face of unplanned land clearing and development in Hulu Kelantan,” he said during a visit to Kada’s main pump irrigation centre, Tuesday.
Recently, Kada chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa reportedly said that about 10,000 farmers had suffered losses to the tune of RM150mil following a decline in padi yield by up to 120,000 tonnes in this year’s planting season, arising from a shortage of water in the Kelantan River due to drought.
Mohd Noor said the committee would send a memorandum to the Kelantan government and other authorities seeking immediate action to resolve the problem.
He also said that the committee was conducting an environmental awareness campaign in the state with the cooperation of federal government agencies.
The campaign had the support of the Kelantan Federal Development Department, he said, adding that it had provided an allocation to fund the programme.
“The campaign is directed at students, parents and the local community, particularly those living close to rivers,” he said.
