Delayed rice planting threatens food security as El Niño persists

ALOR STAR: Delayed rice planting schedules and the ongoing El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to continue into next year, could threaten Malaysia's food security if immediate action is not taken.

Malaysian Farmers' Brotherhood Organisation (PeSAWAH) chairman Abdul Rashid Yob said planting schedules had been severely disrupted, with only 10 to 20 per cent of farmers able to start sowing seeds this month, when fertilisation would normally have been completed by now.

He said the situation was compounded by concerns over water shortages, with water levels at the Muda Dam, managed by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), reportedly falling to critically low levels.

"The water supply from Mada has been unavailable this year. This is unprecedented in our rice cultivation. The first season had to rely entirely on rainwater, and planting schedules were thrown into disarray," he said when contacted.

Rashid said many areas had been delayed in sowing and were expected to harvest in February or March, coinciding with the El Niño period.

Abdul Rashid asked whether the government and relevant agencies had made preparations, including setting up a special committee to address the threat.

He also expressed concern over delays in repair works at the dam, despite an allocation of more than RM200 million announced last year.

PeSAWAH suspected a serious leak was preventing the dam from retaining water, with levels remaining between 18 and 19 per cent throughout the year.

Rashid said the federal and state governments needed to set aside political differences and work together to safeguard the country's food supply.

"Farmers are the ones who carry out the work and can only use what is supplied. Even with land available, planting cannot proceed without sufficient water. If the problem is not addressed effectively, the country will face a food crisis," he said.