Latest news with #IsmailSalleh
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Padi planting project starts ahead of schedule
ALOR SETAR: The main infrastructure development project under the five-season padi planting programme over two years in the Muda area has commenced ahead of its scheduled starting date of Aug 1. Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the project's progress is ahead of schedule, reflecting a strong commitment and seriousness in assisting farmers in the Muda area. The development project comprises two main components – the construction and maintenance of 15 Tertiary Irrigation System Blocks (Project 1), and the Pedu Dam Phase 1 Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project (Project 2), with a total allocation of RM1bil, Bernama reported. 'These 15 blocks will supply water to 560ha of padi fields. According to the original timeline, the project was scheduled to begin on Aug 1, but the contractor began work earlier,' he said. On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited the major infrastructure development project under the five-season padi cultivation programme in the Muda area, located at Batu 7, Kampung Kemboja, Ayer Hitam, near Jitra. He said the padi cultivation programme would bring comprehensive reforms to the country's padi and rice industry ecosystem, helping to reduce reliance on imports and enhance national rice self-sufficiency. Ismail added that the Prime Minister's visit marked his second to the project site, aimed at reviewing the progress of agricultural infrastructure development in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the national food supply and boost local rice production.
Malaysian Reserve
4 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Infrastructure work for five-season paddy planting programme begins ahead of schedule
ALOR SETAR — The main infrastructure development project under the five-season paddy planting programme over two years in the Muda area has commenced ahead of its scheduled start date of Aug 1. Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the project's progress is ahead of schedule, reflecting a strong commitment and seriousness in assisting farmers in the Muda area. The development project comprises two main components: the construction and maintenance of 15 Tertiary Irrigation System Blocks (Project 1), and the Pedu Dam Phase 1 Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project (Project 2), with a total allocation of RM1 billion. 'These 15 blocks will supply water to 560 hectares of paddy fields. According to the original timeline, the project was scheduled to begin on Aug 1, but the contractor began work earlier,' he said when asked about the project's progress. Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited to the major infrastructure development project under the five-season paddy cultivation programme in the Muda area, located at Batu 7, Kampung Kemboja, Ayer Hitam, near Jitra. He said the paddy cultivation programme would bring comprehensive reforms to the country's paddy and rice industry ecosystem, helping to reduce reliance on imports and enhance national rice self-sufficiency. He added that the Prime Minister's visit marked his second to the project site, aimed at reviewing the progress of agricultural infrastructure development in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the national food supply and boost local rice production. 'This project, which is currently underway, focuses on upgrading the irrigation and drainage systems, as well as enhancing the use of modern technology in the paddy cultivation sector. It not only supports intensified planting activities but also has the potential to boost productivity and increase the income of paddy farmers. 'With the implementation of five planting seasons in two years, the country is expected to reduce its reliance on imported rice and raise the self-sufficiency level (SSL) of this strategic commodity,' he said. Meanwhile, when asked about the proposed construction of guardrails and maintenance work along the Sungai Korok canal, Ismail said MADA and the Public Works Department (JKR) have held initial discussions on constructing guardrails at the location, as previously suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. On July 8, Ahmad Zahid said that the government would consider proposals to build guardrails and install streetlights along the route near Sungai Korok, following the tragic incident on July 5, in which six family members died after their car skidded and plunged into the canal. — BERNAMA
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Infrastructure Work For Five-season Paddy Planting Programme Begins Ahead Of Schedule
ALOR SETAR, July 26 (Bernama) -- The main infrastructure development project under the five-season paddy planting programme over two years in the Muda area has commenced ahead of its scheduled start date of Aug 1. Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the project's progress is ahead of schedule, reflecting a strong commitment and seriousness in assisting farmers in the Muda area. The development project comprises two main components: the construction and maintenance of 15 Tertiary Irrigation System Blocks (Project 1), and the Pedu Dam Phase 1 Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project (Project 2), with a total allocation of RM1 billion. 'These 15 blocks will supply water to 560 hectares of paddy fields. According to the original timeline, the project was scheduled to begin on Aug 1, but the contractor began work earlier,' he said when asked about the project's progress. Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited to the major infrastructure development project under the five-season paddy cultivation programme in the Muda area, located at Batu 7, Kampung Kemboja, Ayer Hitam, near Jitra. He said the paddy cultivation programme would bring comprehensive reforms to the country's paddy and rice industry ecosystem, helping to reduce reliance on imports and enhance national rice self-sufficiency. He added that the Prime Minister's visit marked his second to the project site, aimed at reviewing the progress of agricultural infrastructure development in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the national food supply and boost local rice production. 'This project, which is currently underway, focuses on upgrading the irrigation and drainage systems, as well as enhancing the use of modern technology in the paddy cultivation sector. It not only supports intensified planting activities but also has the potential to boost productivity and increase the income of paddy farmers. 'With the implementation of five planting seasons in two years, the country is expected to reduce its reliance on imported rice and raise the self-sufficiency level (SSL) of this strategic commodity,' he said.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Five-season paddy planting infrastructure starts early in Muda area
ALOR SETAR: The infrastructure development for the five-season paddy planting programme in the Muda area has started earlier than planned, signalling strong progress in Malaysia's push for higher rice production. Originally set to begin on Aug 1, contractors have already commenced work on key components, including irrigation upgrades and dam rehabilitation. Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh confirmed the accelerated timeline, stating, 'These 15 blocks will supply water to 560 hectares of paddy fields. According to the original timeline, the project was scheduled to begin on Aug 1, but the contractor began work earlier.' The RM1 billion initiative includes two major projects: the construction and maintenance of 15 Tertiary Irrigation System Blocks and the Pedu Dam Phase 1 Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently inspected the site, underscoring the government's commitment to food security. Ismail highlighted the programme's broader impact, noting, 'With the implementation of five planting seasons in two years, the country is expected to reduce its reliance on imported rice and raise the self-sufficiency level of this strategic commodity.' Modern irrigation and drainage improvements, alongside technology adoption, aim to boost yields and farmer incomes. Separately, discussions are underway between MADA and the Public Works Department (JKR) to install guardrails along Sungai Korok canal, following a fatal accident earlier this month. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had earlier proposed safety enhancements for the area. - Bernama
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Mada to seek RM550,000 allocation to replace collapsed bridge in Jerlun
ALOR STAR: The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) will apply for a RM550,000 allocation from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to rebuild a collapsed bridge connecting several villages in Ayer Hitam to Kuala Tunjang, Jerlun. Its chairman, Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh, said that as a temporary measure, Mada would carry out repair work on an access road along the left bank of the Parit Tunjang irrigation canal to ensure continued vehicle access for residents in the affected areas. "Mada will undertake tree-trimming and road repair works along the access road beside Parit Tunjang to facilitate vehicle movement along the canal," he told the "New Straits Times". "We estimate that constructing a new bridge will cost about RM550,000. Mada will seek funding from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry." Dr Ismail said warning signs and road barriers were put up at the site last night to alert villagers to the collapsed structure and ensure public safety. Earlier today, it was reported that the lives of over 1,000 residents from five villages in Ayer Hitam were disrupted following the collapse of the over 60-year-old bridge, which served as a vital link between Ayer Hitam and Kuala Tunjang. The affected villages are Kampung Hutan Tualang, Kampung Padang Tui, Kampung Gandai, Kampung Tandop Kedabu, and Kampung Tempayan Pecah. According to villagers, cracks had appeared in the bridge as early as 2022. They believe the structure gave way when strong river currents swept large amounts of aquatic vegetation, known locally as "kemeling", underneath it, causing a blockage that increased pressure on the aging structure. Villagers said Mada had previously informed them of estimated repair costs of RM400,000 and had carried out minor patching work at the time.
