KADA Moves To Real-Time Data-Based Water Management Through SPARK

SERDANG, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- The Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) is shifting from an agricultural water management approach based on estimates and experience to a more evidence-based approach that uses real-time information through the implementation of the KADA Water Management System (SPARK).

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said SPARK is an integrated water management platform designed to improve KADA’s ability to monitor, control and coordinate water distribution to rice-growing areas more efficiently and responsively.

“SPARK is not simply a new technological initiative, but represents a significant change in agricultural water management.

“We are moving away from relying on estimates and experience towards management based on evidence and real-time information,” he said when officiating at the programme in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro-tourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026, here today.

KADA chairman Khalid Abdul Samad and KADA general manager Mohd Faizul Mustafa were also present.

Mohamad said the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) technology in SPARK enables critical information, such as water levels, flow rates, rainfall distribution, and water-gate status, to be monitored and analysed in real time.

“This capability allows operational decisions to be based on actual conditions on the ground, enabling faster responses to changes in water levels, equipment failures and the risk of flooding,” he said.

The system also integrates the monitoring and management of 42 pumping stations, 66 water gates and 40 telemetry stations, he said, enabling water distribution to be better aligned with crop needs, rice growth stages and prevailing weather conditions.

Mohamad said SPARK could help protect up to 8,000 hectares of padi fields against flooding and crop damage as part of disaster mitigation efforts.

KADA currently oversees about 26,664 hectares of active padi fields in Kelantan.

He said water release and distribution decisions across the large area had to take into account factors such as river levels, rainfall, drainage capacity, water-gate conditions, pumping-station capacity, and crop needs at different growth stages.

“Data on water use, rainfall patterns, pumping station performance and previous flooding incidents will also be used to inform analysis, infrastructure improvements and more precise planning of planting seasons,” he said.

He said the effectiveness of SPARK would be measured by more efficient water distribution, faster response times, lower risks of crop damage, adherence to planting schedules and higher productivity.

Mohamad said the SPARK system was expected to help boost KADA’s padi productivity to 5.5 tonnes per hectare by 2030, up from about 4.5 tonnes per hectare currently.

The RM3.7 million SPARK project, which ran from March 2024 to March 2026, is aligned with the National Agrofood Policy 2021-2030 and the 13th Malaysia Plan, focusing on agrofood sector modernisation, technology adoption, higher productivity, and stronger food security.

-- BERNAMA