A survey by the consumer group found that several paddy-growing areas in the district were seriously affected, making it difficult to harvest their crop.

CAP’s president SM Mohamed Idris explained poor soil condition was not only due to the high frequency of rainfall, but also to excessive use of pesticides, chemical fertilisers and heavy machinery, direct seeding as well as imperfect and ineffective irrigation and drainage systems.

The overuse of highly toxic pesticides and chemical fertilisers, he said, could likely affect the soil’s fertility, while direct seeding meant fields were constantly waterlogged.

Idris also attributed the poor soil condition to the use of heavy machinery for harvesting and ploughing.

“CAP proposes that modern technology that 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,” said Idris in a statement.

He went on to urge the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry to study and take necessary action to resolve the problem and pay special attention to paddy fields under the Kerian and Sungai Manik Integrated Agriculture Development Area, the major granary areas in Malaysia.

“CAP is 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.”