To Coordinate Urgent Meeting To Resolve Padi Field Irrigation Issue

MELAKA, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- PKR Youth chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim will coordinate a meeting between representatives of padi farmers and relevant agencies to discuss immediate solutions to complaints concerning the irrigation system at the paddy fields in Kampung Pinang, Klebang, here.

He said the meeting, involving more than 30 paddy farmers, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and several agencies under the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, was expected to be held soon to identify the best way to ensure an adequate water supply reaches all paddy plots in the village.

Muhammad Kamil, who is also the Political Secretary to the Finance Minister, said the matter would also be brought to the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to ensure a comprehensive resolution to the issue.

"I was informed that Kampung Pinang has approximately 80.94 hectares of paddy fields, and the issue of uneven water distribution has persisted for a long time.

"It has yet to be fully resolved despite several temporary measures previously implemented, including the construction of bunds and the provision of water pumps," he told reporters at Kampung Pinang A here today.

Muhammad Kamil was speaking after a brief meeting with a group of paddy farmers in the village, which was also attended by Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Kelebang state constituency in the Melaka State Election, Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir.

He said water was essential for rice cultivation, and insufficient water supply would hamper the growth of the crops, consequently affecting production yields and farmers' incomes.

He said the proposed solutions would serve as temporary alternatives while awaiting the full completion of Phase 2 of the padi field irrigation system project in the Kelebang state constituency, which was reportedly still under construction.

-- BERNAMA