THE three main rice bowls in Seberang Perai, located in Sungai Dua, Permatang Pauh and Sungai Acheh, have the potential to be further promoted as a hotspot for eco-tourism.
Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik, who is also the foster assemblyman (adun angkat) for Sungai Acheh said the idea is to preserve and promote the padi heritage there and also to support the local farmers in their efforts to increase food security.
“As we know, padi is harvested twice per year, so why not while waiting for it to be harvested, we transform the padi fields into an eco-tourism place?
“This can also help to increase the farmers’ income and in return, we can ensure a continuous supply of padi production and maintain our food security,” Goh told Buletin Mutiara during his visit to the padi fields in Sungai Acheh recently.
According to Goh, padi fields in Sekinchan, Selangor were a good example for the padi farmers here to convert their place for eco-tourism.
“In our own state, we can take a look at the initiative by Dr Norlela Ariffin (the state executive councillor for Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee) through her successful Penang International Paddy Festival (PIPF) project at Kampung Terus in Penanti a few years back.
“I remember there were thousands of visitors and tourists thronging the three-day festival in 2018 and 2019.
“One of the unique elements of PIPF was that it featured at least 15 padi sculptures of interesting shapes such as buffalo and scarecrow that were made from discarded rice straws and were fully handcrafted by the Kampung Terus villagers.
“There were also other exciting activities such as catching of fish in the padi fields, painting of local sceneries by local artists, kite exhibition, tug-of-war activity in the padi field and football competition with players wearing traditional clothes (kain pelikat) in the padi field.
“This is the kind of concept that I want the local community in Sungai Dua, Permatang Pauh and Sungai Acheh to emulate.
“After all, with all of these elements, they can surely boost the eco-tourism in the areas and benefit the local community.
“Hopefully, after the Covid-19 situation in the country gets better, we can perhaps try to implement this idea,” he added.
Goh also stressed the importance of padi fields for the environment.
“Apart from cultivating rice, padi fields also help in the beautification of the environment, purification of water, generating a good amount of oxygen, regulating the temperature and ecosystem development.
“So, we must preserve these priceless nature’s treasures,” he concluded.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis