TANAH MERAH (May 16): The Farmers' Organisation Authority is monitoring all agriculture sector-related activities due to the effects of the current hot spell.

Its director-general Datuk Azulita Salim said that so far, the hot weather has not had a significant effect on the crops, especially vegetables.

“The dry season is still new and most vegetable growers use certain technologies such as fertigation.

“However, in terms of rice cultivation, we found that farmers are facing difficulties getting water supply,” she told a media conference after the ceremony to inaugurate the Chetok Area Farmers' Association’s Petron petrol station, here on Tuesday (May 16).

She elaborated that the Farmers' Organisation Authority would monitor the situation from time to time, besides finding alternatives to address any problems if the dry season continues.

“We are gathering data to identify them (farmers) who are affected by the dry season.

“We are also making preparations by finding alternative water sources, including building tube wells and using water pumps,” she said.

She added that if the dry season prolongs, the crop yield will also decrease and the Farmers' Organisation Authority will do its best to minimise the effects of the dry season.