ALOR STAR: The water levels at dams managed by the Muda Agriculture Development Authority (Mada) are currently sufficient to support a second padi planting season this year.

Mada chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said today that the combined water levels at the authority's three dams stood at 500,612 acre-feet, representing 40.93 per cent of their total capacity - enough for the season ahead.

"The Pedu Dam is holding at 313,400 acre-feet, or 35.82 per cent of its capacity; the Muda Dam holding at 11,450 acre-feet (9.16 per cent); and the Ahning Dam holding at 175,762 acre-feet (78.82 per cent).

"Water level simulations for the Pedu Dam suggest that the reservoir will reach 406,283 acre-feet, or 46 per cent, at the start of the second padi planting season in 2024. This is sufficient to sustain irrigation to the end of the season.

"The projected reservoir level at Pedu Dam by the end of the season is 628,437 acre-feet, or 72 per cent, which will be adequate to commence irrigation for the first padi planting season of 2025," he said in a press conference at the Mada Rice Training Centre here.

Ismail also confirmed that the schedule for the second padi planting season had been finalised.

"This season is set to begin in late September, with the first phase of sowing starting on Sept 25, followed by the second phase on Oct 5, and the third on Oct 15.

"Mada urges farmers in the region to adhere to the planting schedule and strive for even greater compliance," he added.

Ismail said compliance with the planting schedule for the first season of the year had reached 73.6 per cent, compared with just 28.3 per cent during the first season last year - a notable improvement of 45.3 per cent.

"Up to Aug 28, 11.5 per cent of the crop from the first planting season has reached maturity, and 1.5 per cent has been harvested.

"The improved compliance was due to several factors, including a planting schedule tailored to current conditions, the availability of certified padi seeds, effective agricultural extension activities, the implementation of a land rehabilitation programme, and adequate irrigation water from rainfall in May and June," he added.

Commenting further, Ismail said there was a decline in the average rainfall in the Muda area early this year (January - March), but it had returned to levels consistent with the 20-year average by last month.

Hence, he encouraged farmers to take advantage of the anticipated rainfall at the start of the second padi planting season.

"Up to Sept 2, the average rainfall in the Muda area is nearly on a par with the 20-year average, recording 1,189mm compared with the average of 1,193mm.

"According to forecasts from the Meteorological Department, the La Niña phenomenon is expected to develop between September and November with 66 per cent probability, and it could persist till early 2025," he added.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/1101173/dam-water-sufficient-second-planting-season-says-mada-chairman