Langkawi Farmers Want Government To Build Dams

LANGKAWI, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- Farmers here have called on the government to build dams to supply water to over 1,000ha of padi field which they currently planted with padi twice a year. Langkawi Area Farmers' Organisation chairman Adnan Muda said the dams could be built in Lubuk Semilang, Telaga Tujuh and Durian Peranginan.

"We have submitted an application for the dams and we hope that the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry can expedite the approval," he said.At the moment, 644 farmers are relying on rain to water their 758ha padi field in Mukim Padang Matsirat, Ulu Melaka and Bohor, which started the twice-yearly padi planting four years ago. Adnan said the twice-yearly planting method would be expanded to two more areas namely Kedawang and Ayer Hangat involving 357ha of padi field and 358 farmers.At the moment, the twice-yearly planting method is implemented in 1,371ha of padi field involving 1,115 farmers.-- BERNAMA