Muda: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants the implementation of infrastructure to support the ‘five-seasons in two years’ padi cultivation programme in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) Phase 1 area to be expedited. Anwar said the Kedah state government and agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) must work closely to support the government’s ongoing initiative to boost the country’s rice yield.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for the state government to expedite the land acquisition process to upgrade the irrigation system infrastructure in the area. He stressed that delays could lead to dissatisfaction among farmers, urging for swift action to avoid any compromise on the programme’s success.

Anwar made these remarks while speaking at the Launch Ceremony of the Infrastructure Development Project to Support the Five-Season Rice Cultivation Programme Over Two Years in Muda Phase 1 at Pida 4 Ayer Hitam. He also urged relevant agencies to provide regular progress reports to the ministry to ensure the programme’s timely implementation.

Highlighting the significance of the RM1 billion allocation for the project, Anwar cautioned against taking the programme’s implementation lightly. He noted the critical need to improve the irrigation system as farmers previously faced up to 40 days of waiting for water supply.

Last year, on October 18, during the Budget 2025 announcement in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar revealed the project’s implementation in Muda Phase 1, involving nearly RM1 billion and covering approximately 11,000 hectares. The project aims to increase rice yields by 15 percent and boost the income of 6,100 farmers by 43 percent.