OVER 3,000 paddy farmers cultivating over 15,000 hectares of land in Kelantan are bracing for significant losses, with expected yields set to decline by up to 80 per cent next month due to a prolonged water shortage during the critical sowing period earlier this year.
The affected areas include Kota Bharu Utara, Kota Bharu Selatan, Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Tumpat, and parts of Pasir Mas, according to the Kelantan Paddy Farmers Association (Pesak).
“Seed-sowing began in June and July, and water is absolutely crucial at this stage,” said Pesak chairman Zuha Ismail when contacted.
“Unfortunately, water from the Kemubu pump house was not available during that critical period, and as a result, the fields are now filled with more weeds than rice plants.”
Zuha noted that water only began to be channelled from the Kemubu pump house last month, and even then, it was done on a rotational basis — far too late to save the crop.
“Because of this, yields expected for next month’s harvest are estimated to fall by as much as 80 per cent. Farmers are once again looking at massive losses and will be unable to repay their debts,” he said.
“This is now the fourth consecutive season where farmers have suffered financially. It’s heartbreaking for us, as many of us rely solely on paddy cultivation for our livelihood.”
Zuha urged the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) to take immediate steps to resolve the issue, particularly concerning the operation and management of the Kemubu pump house.
“How much longer must we endure such losses? If the water issue remains unresolved, we will not plant paddy in the next season unless KADA provides firm assurances and a real solution.
“At this point, it’s no longer rice farming — it looks more like we’re cultivating grass,” he added. - September 16, 2025
