ALOR SETAR: It is estimated that about 100 hectares of paddy fields that rely on rainwater and hill water sources have been affected nationwide due to the current hot weather.
Malaysian Farmers' Association (PESAWAH) exco member Abdul Rashid Yob said prolonged hot weather has impacted paddy plants as it can cause water in the fields to diminish, resulting in dry rice paddy fields.
He said this condition will affect the growth of rice plants, and when the situation worsens, the rice plants will be stunted, and the grains will become affected or non-existent.
"We started receiving complaints of stunted rice plants involving farmers in Perak, Negri Sembilan, and Melaka when they were unable to harvest rice according to the planting schedule.
"On average, their crops are over two months old, but they have to leave them in the fields because the rice plants are not bearing fruit due to the excessively dry fields.
"An estimated 50 farmers have been affected, and they are facing significant losses as they have already invested capital in planting rice," he said when contacted here today.
Abdul Rashid said although the case does not involve many farmers, it should not be taken lightly as those affected also contribute to the country's food security.
He said the government needs to take this matter seriously as there are forecasts that the current El Nino phenomenon-induced hot season is expected to last longer.
"The hot weather will cause limited water to be available, and more farmers will be affected. Farmers in the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) also face water source problems due to the lack of a systematic irrigation system.
"Such problems need to be addressed from the beginning; relevant agencies need to play a role in assisting affected farmers, either by upgrading irrigation facilities or providing appropriate assistance for farmers to survive.
"Otherwise, the country will lose more rice yields for the next season due to extreme hot weather conditions," he said.