KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 — The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFS) is ready to conduct cloud seeding operations to induce rainfall in padi cultivation areas if the El-Nino phenomenon persists, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Its miniser Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the effort will be carried out in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the National Disaster Management Agency and the Prime Minister’s Department.
“If there is an urgent need, MAFS is ready to conduct cloud seeding operations... this is what we will do if this El-Nino persists.
“In addition, MAFS has also taken early measures such as installing backward pumps and portable pumps with up to 30 horsepower, building tube wells and repairing pump houses in order to supply water in affected areas,” he said during the question and answer session.
He said this in reply to a question from Padang Terap MP Nurul Amin Hamid on the measures that have been and are being planned by the government to buffer the impact of El Nino on the country's food supply, especially paddy cultivation.
Mohamad said efforts such as increasing the number of irrigation ditches and deepening the drainage of padi fields have also been taken to ensure adequate water supply.
Responding to Nurul Amin’s supplementary question on whether MAFS intends to set up a special fund to help padi farmers and farmers affected by El-Nino, Mohamad said the matter would be discussed at the ministry level.
“If it is necessary, we will discuss it with the Economy Ministry, Finance Ministry and other (ministries),” he said.
Earlier, Mohamad informed that the occurrence of black spots on durians including Musang King had resulted in the temporary suspension of their imports by certain importers.
"We still don't know the cause because no study has been conducted... Musang King durians are cheaper (now) and more people can enjoy them; (although) some of them have black spots, it is said that they are not dangerous for us to eat,” he said.
— Bernama
