Farmers usually plant rice in flooded fields. But this year, they can't do that because of the dry weather. They can plant rice in dry fields, but they have more time to do that.

Farmers don't like planting rice in dry fields because it gives them less rice.

More than half of the rice fields are ready, but not many have been planted. Farmers are waiting for rain.

The planting of rice has not been stopped, but some changes are being made.

The main water storage for the rice area is almost empty.

The cost of farming is high.

A farmer, Abdul Rashid Yob, said the drought is making things worse because fuel costs are high.

Even when there is water, many farmers can't afford to plant rice because of high costs.

Rice is a main food in Malaysia. The country eats about 2.5 million tonnes of rice a year. Half of that rice is grown in Malaysia.

Most of Malaysia's rice comes from the north.

The north is important for Malaysia's food.

The Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said they will make rain by putting special particles in clouds.

This process is used to make rain or stop air pollution. It works by putting particles like silver iodide in clouds.

But it only works if there are clouds. The government wants to start making rain soon.

The government will also help farmers with fuel costs.

Farmers are struggling.

A small farmer, Fitri Amit, is not sure the government's help will work. He said help often comes too late.

Farmers want the government to pay them more for their rice.

If farmers get a good price for their rice, they will have money.

Fitri Amit is also struggling with dry conditions.

He had to stop using water for his farm because the water level was low.

The Minister of Agriculture said this year's drought is worse than before.

There might be a big change in the weather soon. This could make things worse for farmers.

This change could start soon and might be very strong.

This weather change can cause heatwaves and droughts in some areas and heavy rain in others.