Perak Strikes Balance In Padi Cultivation, Arowana Breeding In Kerian Rice Bowl
IPOH, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- The Perak government has restricted arowana breeding to 180 hectares of the 12,500-hectare padi land in the Kerian district to prevent the fish breeders from encroaching further into the rice bowl, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said Wednesday.
He said the state government wanted to establish a balance in arowana breeding, which brought lucrative returns, and padi cultivation in the Kerian-Sungai Manik Integrated Agriculture Development Area (IADA).
Speaking to reporters after chairing the weekly meeting of the state executive council, he said the state government had received memorandums, complaints and protests from the padi farmers there on the shortage of water and excessive purchase of land.
"Many padi farmers have complained about the shortage of water because the fish breeders and padi farmers draw their water from the same source -- the Bukit Merah lake, which is said to be ideal for breeding the arowana," he said.
The padi farmers had also expressed their concern over the adverse impact on the eco-system, water quality and irrigation, he added.
Dr Zambry said there had been encroachment into the padi-growing area and the state government would take firm measures to ensure that padi cultivation as a core industry in the area remained unaffected.
The state government knew that the arowana breeders came from all over the country and also from abroad, he said, adding that it would not hesitate to act if they violated the law.
"The state government has to strike a balance between the interests of the local community, padi cultivation and the arowana industry. We do not want to be blamed for protecting the interests of any particular sector," he said.
In December last year, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry asked the Perak government to gazette about 100 hectares in Bukit Merah near here as a specific aquaculture zone for the breeding of the arowana.
The minister, Datuk Seri Noh Omar, said then that this was to protect the Kerian rice bowl following a high demand for arowana breeding ponds in the district.
Note: There is high demand for the arowana because it is believed that the fish can distinguish between an enemy and a well-wisher among visitors to a house, showing aggression or remaining calm, respectively, as the case may be.
-- BERNAMA
He said the state government wanted to establish a balance in arowana breeding, which brought lucrative returns, and padi cultivation in the Kerian-Sungai Manik Integrated Agriculture Development Area (IADA).
Speaking to reporters after chairing the weekly meeting of the state executive council, he said the state government had received memorandums, complaints and protests from the padi farmers there on the shortage of water and excessive purchase of land.
"Many padi farmers have complained about the shortage of water because the fish breeders and padi farmers draw their water from the same source -- the Bukit Merah lake, which is said to be ideal for breeding the arowana," he said.
The padi farmers had also expressed their concern over the adverse impact on the eco-system, water quality and irrigation, he added.
Dr Zambry said there had been encroachment into the padi-growing area and the state government would take firm measures to ensure that padi cultivation as a core industry in the area remained unaffected.
The state government knew that the arowana breeders came from all over the country and also from abroad, he said, adding that it would not hesitate to act if they violated the law.
"The state government has to strike a balance between the interests of the local community, padi cultivation and the arowana industry. We do not want to be blamed for protecting the interests of any particular sector," he said.
In December last year, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry asked the Perak government to gazette about 100 hectares in Bukit Merah near here as a specific aquaculture zone for the breeding of the arowana.
The minister, Datuk Seri Noh Omar, said then that this was to protect the Kerian rice bowl following a high demand for arowana breeding ponds in the district.
Note: There is high demand for the arowana because it is believed that the fish can distinguish between an enemy and a well-wisher among visitors to a house, showing aggression or remaining calm, respectively, as the case may be.
-- BERNAMA
