More Than 2,000 Ha Of KADA Padi Fields Abandoned, Tumpat Records Largest Area

PASIR MAS, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- A total of 2,307.172 hectares of padi plots under the supervision of the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) have been identified as abandoned following a remapping exercise for 2026. 

KADA chairman Khalid Abdul Samad said of the 25,891.105 hectares of padi plots identified through the KADA Padi Geospatial System, 23,098.202 hectares are active plots, while another 485.731 hectares are categorised as miscellaneous plots. 

He said Tumpat recorded the largest area of abandoned padi plots at 775.839 hectares, followed by Pasir Mas with 520.104 hectares and Kota Bharu Selatan with 359.408 hectares. 

“For the overall distribution of padi plots, Pasir Mas recorded the largest area at 5,633.942 hectares, followed by Bachok (5,183.851 hectares), Pasir Puteh (4,275.054 hectares), Tumpat (4,239.947 hectares), Kota Bharu Selatan (3,721.304 hectares) and Kota Bharu Utara (2,837.007 hectares). 

“This data is important in identifying areas with potential for rehabilitation and reactivation, based on technical suitability and management capacity,” he said when speaking at the Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu’s engagement programme at Bendang Belukar here today. 

In this regard, KADA has proposed that the 2026 mapping data be used as one of the official references in planning the development of padi cultivation areas, to enable better coordination of assistance, monitoring of plot status and more accurate and targeted prioritisation of interventions. 

In a related development, Khalid said KADA has received approval for 18 development projects under the Second Rolling Plan (RP2) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for 2027, covering irrigation infrastructure development, modernisation of agricultural facilities, productivity enhancement and the socioeconomic development of padi farmers. 

“Among the key projects are upgrading tertiary irrigation systems at KPA Selising 1, KPA Tendong, KPA Terbak A, KPA Limbat 2B, KPA Bachok Utara 2 and KPA Peringat 2, dredging irrigation canals, reconstructing secondary canals under the Kemubu Irrigation Scheme, and constructing and upgrading KASA pump stations,” he said. 

Also planned is the Lestari 5 programme through large-scale padi fields, improvements to the efficiency of seedling centres in Tumpat and Bachok, and the expansion of smart technology among padi farmers. 

Khalid said a total of 194 procurement exercises worth RM130.73 million have been planned to support the implementation of the projects, comprising 15 tenders worth RM116.43 million, 31 quotations (RM10.96 million) and 148 direct purchases (RM3.34 million). 

Meanwhile, for Season 1 of 2026, a total of 24,997.1 hectares, or 93.75 per cent of the overall 26,664 hectares of padi cultivation areas under KADA’s supervision, have been planted, while the remaining 1,666.9 hectares have yet to be planted. 

“As of the reporting date, 4,900 hectares have been harvested, equivalent to 19.60 per cent of the total planted area. No crop damage due to floods, drought or strong winds has been recorded. However, weather monitoring and water resource management must continue to be strengthened to reduce the risk of yield losses,” he said.

-- BERNAMA