Kedah: The Youth Agricultural Advancement Institute (MADA) has provided clarification on the delays in rice planting in the Muda Region. The institute has stressed that the delays are due to a lack of water supply and rising operating costs, factors beyond their control.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MADA's chairman, Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh, addressed the concerns raised by farmers, explaining that the water supply for padi fields relies heavily on four sources: dams, rivers, rain, and water recycling. He noted that approximately 50 per cent of this supply comes from dam storage. The current levels at the Muda, Pedu, and Ahning Dams are insufficient, with the Muda Dam critically low at less than 10 per cent capacity. Dr Salleh emphasized that this shortage is due to weather conditions and not MADA's management.

He further explained that the total rainfall until April 30, 2026, was significantly lower than in previous years, contributing to the low dam levels. This has necessitated a delay in water release for irrigation, affecting planting schedules. Dr Salleh advised farmers to utilize recent rainfall and employ pumps near canals to start planting while awaiting dam water releases.

Dr Salleh also urged farmers to avoid delaying planting further, given the anticipated El Nino phenomenon and the potential for end-of-year floods that could impact harvests. He acknowledged the increased diesel costs affecting agricultural machinery operations but clarified that the reported figures were exaggerated. The actual rise in diesel costs impacts machinery by 27 to 30 per cent, while overall farmer costs have increased by about 10 per cent.

To mitigate these challenges, the government has increased plowing incentives to RM300 per hectare, and applications for diesel subsidies through the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS) are under review. Recent reports indicate that 90 per cent of padi fields in the country, including those in the MADA area, have suspended rice planting activities for the 1/2026 season due to these water and cost constraints.