Kuala Lumpur: A total of RM55 million has been allocated for the maintenance of irrigation and drainage systems for agriculture nationwide under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. Its Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, highlighted that RM14.8 million from this budget is specifically designated for the East Coast states.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, this initiative is part of the ministry’s proactive measures to mitigate the impact of floods on the agricultural sector, with a special focus on the East Coast regions. “In addition, the ministry also ensures the readiness of mobile pumps to operate at the optimum level in padi planting areas to drain out water, besides ensuring all tide control gates in these areas are functioning for a more effective control of the water flow,” Mohamad Sabu stated during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.
He was responding to Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Puteh), who inquired about the ministry’s strategies to safeguard the agricultural sector during floods, particularly in the East Coast states. Mohamad detailed additional strategies, including the implementation of climate-smart agriculture, the development of weather-resistant crop varieties, the introduction of innovative agricultural technologies, and the enhancement of database systems using the Geographic Information System (GIS).
Moreover, Mohamad expressed hope for improvements in the country’s weather forecasting systems, aiming for more precise predictions to mitigate flood impacts on agriculture. Addressing a supplementary question from Nik Muhammad Zawawi regarding the government’s readiness to provide adequate drainage in the Pasir Puteh area, Mohamad confirmed that the ministry has received approval for two projects this year, with a total project cost ceiling of RM16 million.
These projects involve the upgrading of the tidal gate and pump house for areas outside the rice granaries, including Pasir Puteh, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure to support the agricultural sector against adverse weather conditions.