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Food supply

Kedah State Government Urged to Consider Sustainable Development Strategies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Kedah state government has been advised to explore alternative development projects, focusing on housing and industry in areas with high potential for rice production, outside of the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) region. MADA Chairman Datuk Dr. Ismail Salleh emphasized the importance of planning to ensure national food security, cautioning against land development in high-potential areas that already possess complete irrigation systems, support infrastructure, and farm roads.

Key Takeaways:

  • MADA Chairman Datuk Dr. Ismail Salleh urges the Kedah state government to consider implementing development projects outside the MADA area, particularly in regions with high potential for rice production.
  • The state government's plan to open MADA Plus, a new paddy cultivation area, would replace existing rice fields involved in state development, covering over 15,000 hectares of paddy land.
  • In the last 50 years, Kedah has lost 8,758 hectares of paddy fields due to land use conversion, with another 15,000 hectares at risk of being lost if the new proposal is approved.
  • MADA is working to increase rice yields through initiatives such as large-scale cultivation (PPSB) and five seasons of planting in two years.
  • Farmers are reminded to adhere to the paddy planting schedule for the 2/2025 Season, with final sowing dates set for Phase I (October 29), Phase II (November 8), and Phase III (November 18).
  • As of the current date, the overall status of water storage in MADA's three dams is 599,322 acre, which is 49 percent, with storage levels at 52.82 percent in the Ahning Dam, 50.57 percent in the Pedu Dam, and 30.56 percent in the Muda Dam.
  • Critical factors influencing the paddy planting schedule include water storage availability for farmers; farmers are asked to comply with the set schedule and planting methods to ensure optimal paddy yields.

Statistics:

  • 8,758 hectares of paddy fields lost due to land use conversion in the last 50 years
  • 15,000 hectares of existing paddy cultivation area at risk of being lost if the new proposal is approved
  • 599,322 acre of water storage available in MADA's three dams, representing 49 percent of total capacity
  • MUDA Plus area covers over 15,000 hectares of paddy land
  • 50-year period of land use conversion affecting Kedah's paddy fields

Sources:

  • "Kedah urged to consider development outside Muda area." Bernama, [No Date]

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