TAMBUNAN: More than 600 farmers across several villages in this district have been hit by a water supply shortage in their paddy fields (pic), as a dam fails to deliver sufficient water amid a prolonged dry spell.
Sawit Kinabalu Deputy Chairman Datuk Victor P Paut said the affected areas include Kampung Kiawayan, Masaak, Silat, Lalapakon, Nambayan, Moloson and Solibog.
“The situation needs serious attention because water supply is a primary requirement in paddy cultivation, particularly to ensure crops can be tended according to the set schedule and season,” he said.
Victor said the water supply to the paddy fields had been steadily declining, making it difficult for farmers to carry on with planting as usual.
He said the lack of rain had worsened the situation, shrunken water sources and further affecting supply to the farming areas. He said if the problem persists, it could hurt padi output and cut into the income of farmers who depend on the crop for their livelihood.
He hoped the relevant authorities would act swiftly to find a solution, particularly to get the dam and irrigation system working more effectively to channel water to the affected paddy fields.
Kampung Kiawayan Village Development and Security Committee Chairman Justin Igid Itud said the water supply problem in the village’s paddy fields was not new, having dragged on for about six years.
He said the long-running issue made it hard for farmers to work their fields consistently, especially during dry spells.
Herry Kimun, a farmer from Kampung Lalapakon, said the water shortage was directly hurting farmers, making it difficult for them to continue their planting activities.
He hoped a long-term solution could be put in place to secure the water supply to the paddy fields and prevent the problem from recurring.
Farmers in the affected areas are calling for immediate action to restore the irrigation system and ensure sufficient water so their paddy fields can once again be farmed at full capacity.
