Author(s): Fouzi All; Nasiruddin Abdullah; Mukhli Zainol Abidin; Nor Azazi Zakaria; Chun Kiat Chang
Linked Author(s): Nor Azazi Zakaria, Chun Kiat Chang
Keywords: Canal; Irrigation; Water resources; Agricultural; Historical water projects
Abstract: Irrigation development in Malaysia has gone through a number of distinct phases which were directly linked to the changing trend of the rice industry in the nation. This paper demonstrates the importance and success of Wan Man Saman Canal (or Terusan Wan Man Saman), which enables the transformation of useless swamp lands into another vast area for rice cultivation in Kedah, Malaysia. Wan Man Saman Canal is the longest canal in Malaysia connecting Sungai Kedah at Alor Star, the present state capital towards the mountainous range of Kedah Peak (Gunung Jerai) where the water source originates. It was constructed in 1885 at the order of Kedah’s first ‘prime minister’ at the time, Wan Muhamad Saman Wan Ismail, together with a team of villagers. The linear canal was built solely using human labor and traditional tools. When the canal completed in 1895, it is 22 miles in length, width of 24 feet and has a depth of 5 feet. The canal was a great help in paddy cultivation activities during that era and enables Kedah to boost its rice production and through it, enables Kedah to earn the nickname "Malaysia's rice bowl". Since then, the canal serves dual purposes for agricultural activities and stormwater management, as major irrigation canal to paddy cultivation, as well as urban drainage final discharge point. Technically, the canal also serves as irrigation system during the growing months and drainage system towards the end of the planting season.
Year: 2018