Pasir puteh: The Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) is building another irrigation pump station worth RM1.15 million in Pasir Puteh to strengthen the irrigation and drainage system in padi cultivation areas under its supervision in Kelantan. KADA chairman Khalid Abdul Samad said the pump station would enable a more stable supply of water to padi fields, thereby improving the efficiency of the irrigation system.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, this project is expected to directly benefit two main padi areas, namely Bendang Gong Tambak and Bendang Kubang Tok Yoh, involving 43 farmers and covering around 128 hectares of padi land. Khalid Abdul Samad highlighted this development while speaking to reporters after officiating the Gong Tambak Irrigation Pump Station.

Meanwhile, he noted that the harvest for the 2/2025 season has been very encouraging, with some farmers achieving yields of up to seven tonnes per hectare after the Kemubu Pump System 4 project became fully operational in February. The nearly RM20 million project, involving eight main pumps at the Kemubu Pump House Station as well as supporting pumps in Lemal, Pasir Mas, has stabilised water supply to padi cultivation areas.

This project is seen as a long-term solution to irrigation issues, particularly in Bachok and its surrounding areas. As a result, about 93 to 95 per cent of padi cultivation areas have been successfully managed without major disruptions despite facing weather challenges.

In a related development, Khalid mentioned that so far, harvesting for the 2/2025 season has reached 45 per cent, covering 24,838 hectares, while more than 11,000 hectares are still in the heading and ripening stages.