The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry to study and take necessary actions to resolve the problem of poor soil condition in the paddy fields in Kerian district, Perak - which is liquefied, soft and mucky.

We are concerned that if the poor soil problem is not tackled immediately, it may affect the income and livelihood of the farmers in this area and undermine the country’s agriculture sector in the future.

CAP’s survey found that several paddy-growing areas in the Kerian district were seriously affected and had resulted in farmers facing difficulty to harvest their crops.

We view that the poor soil condition is not necessarily due to a high frequency of rainfall, but it is also likely to be affected by excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, the practice of direct seeding, the use of heavy machinery, and imperfect and ineffective irrigation and drainage systems.

Overuse of highly toxic pesticides and chemical fertilisers may affect soil fertility and cause the soil to become soft. This problem - coupled with the direct seeding method that the farmers practise - renders the paddy fields to be constantly waterlogged and never dry.

In addition, the use of heavy machinery for harvesting and ploughing also contribute to the problem of poor soil condition in the district. At the same time, the irrigation and drainage system that fails to function effectively have resulted in several paddy fields in the district to be always waterlogged.

CAP hopes that paddy fields under the Kerian/Sungai Manik Integrated Agriculture Development Area are given due attention by the ministry, as it is one of the major granary areas in Malaysia.

We propose that the modern technology which can affect the agriculture sector be reviewed and replaced with safer traditional practices that are environment-friendly and do not affect the activities and livelihood of farmers.

SM MOHAMED IDRIS is president, Consumers Association of Penang.