National Seed Council to regulate seed industry and prevent monopoly
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu emphasised the council's role in ensuring orderly seed management across all plant and livestock sectors.
Mohamad stated, 'Let the management of seeds be done in an orderly manner, and we will have a national seed board to regulate all types of plant or livestock seeds in Malaysia.'
He made these remarks during a press conference at the FELCRA Plantation Services Sdn Bhd Padi Seed Centre in Seberang Perak.
The council will also establish a seed repository system to store local agricultural and livestock seeds.
'The padi seed centre will serve as a repository for all types of seeds available in the country, and in the event of any issues, we can use the repository to produce seeds for the future,' he added.
In June, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) designated the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) as the lead agency for the National Seed Hub. An advisory council with various experts will also be formed to support the initiative.
Currently, Malaysia heavily depends on imported seeds, including 90% of vegetable and watermelon seeds worth RM2.7 million.
The new council aims to reduce reliance on foreign seed sources and strengthen local seed production. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
8 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
58th AMM: ASEAN pushes for deeper integration, strategic unity
The region's strength lies in its ability to act collectively, grounded in the principles of unity, neutrality and people-centred development by AKMAR ANNUAR ASEAN foreign ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to a more cohesive, resilient and strategically autonomous region during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), held in Kuala Lumpur last week. Chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the meeting focused on advancing the ASEAN Vision 2045 roadmap, strengthening intra-regional cooperation and addressing key regional security and economic challenges amid growing geopolitical tensions. Mohamad, who also chaired the plenary session on July 9, urged ASEAN to stay united and resolute against external pressures, emphasising that 'strategic consistency and internal cohesion' are crucial as the region navigates a volatile global landscape. He underlined that ASEAN's strength lies in its ability to act collectively, grounded in the principles of unity, neutrality and people-centred development. Timor-Leste's Accession: Closing the Loop The meeting endorsed the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments, encouraged the full completion of procedures before the 47th ASEAN Summit and supported the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. The foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for Timor-Leste's membership and called on member states to assist in fast-tracking the signing of ASEAN agreements. This would pave the way for the formal inclusion of Timor-Leste at the 47th Summit in October. UKM political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said Malaysia's leadership as ASEAN chair has demonstrated the country's potential to drive positive outcomes for the region. 'Malaysia's political and economic stability gives it the credibility to influence key ASEAN directions. For example, Malaysia's diplomacy played a key role in persuading major powers to consider South-East Asia's 1995 nuclear-free agreement,' he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). Mazlan added that Malaysia's ability to avoid confrontation while pursuing dialogue with global powers like the US and China enables ASEAN to position itself as a balanced player. 'It is realistic for ASEAN to reduce reliance on external powers by strengthening internal trade and policy alignment. Malaysia plays a bridging role here,' he said. On Timor-Leste's accession, he warned that further delays could invite external influence. 'If ASEAN does not accelerate Timor-Leste's membership, there is a risk it becomes a pawn in major power competition,' he opined. People-first Diplomacy A central priority of the 58th AMM was for ASEAN to go beyond mere declarations and ensure that its frameworks and roadmaps deliver tangible, meaningful benefits to the people of the region. Mohamad repeatedly highlighted the importance of people-centred outcomes. 'What the people want is implementation, not just communiqués. We must match ambition with delivery,' he said at a press conference. Economist Assoc Prof Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said ASEAN must urgently act on its economic strategic plan. He said Malaysia needs to significantly boost intra-ASEAN trade, especially in food and essential goods, given the rising uncertainties from global protectionism. ASEAN has the potential to shift from being just a manufacturing base to becoming a high-tech hub. 'With nearly 700 million people and a GDP approaching US$4 trillion (RM17 trillion), ASEAN can leverage second-mover advantage, learn from China's path and enhance its value chain,' he told TMR. Aimi Zulhazmi said the bloc's economic plans must translate into real gains for ordinary people. This would translate into improved wages for workers, the creation of more employment opportunities and greater investment in connectivity infrastructure that could attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and help build a resilient middle class across the region. He also called for ASEAN economies to adopt a region-wide second-mover strategy. 'Learn from China, take the good parts and improve on the gaps. That is how ASEAN becomes globally competitive without reinventing the wheel.' Nuclear Cooperation: New Energy Diplomacy In a bilateral engagement on the sidelines, Malaysia and the US signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on strategic civilian nuclear cooperation. The agreement includes collaboration in areas such as human capital development, regulation and peaceful application of nuclear technology in agriculture and healthcare. Mohamad said the MoU marked Malaysia's 'readiness to explore clean energy pathways while maintaining a peaceful foreign policy doctrine.' Aimi Zulhazmi said Malaysia's credibility as a neutral and peaceful nation makes it well to engage responsibly in such programmes. 'This is not about military ambition. It is about securing long-term energy stability.' ASEAN should collectively explore peaceful nuclear applications. 'This should not be an exclusive West-aligned agenda. ASEAN should open dialogue with multiple partners like China, South Korea and the European Union (EU),' he added. Mazlan shared similar views, noting Malaysia's long-standing diplomacy track record. He said Malaysia has always been trusted globally. 'We are not part of military alliances or arms races. That gives legitimacy to our pursuit of civilian nuclear development.' Rights, Environment and Digital Protection Another major outcome of the 58th AMM was the endorsement of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights' (AICHR) Priority Programmes for 2025 and its Five-Year Work Plan for 2026-2030. In layman terms, AICHR is ASEAN's official body responsible for promoting human rights in the region. It focuses on issues such as access to justice, the rights of vulnerable groups, digital protection and climate-induced displacement. The ministers expressed their full support for AICHR's plans, encouraging it to carry out its mandate in line with both ASEAN values and international human rights standards. This was complemented by the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. The declaration links human rights to environmental protection, signalling stronger cooperation on green policies, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The bloc's economic plans must translate into real gains for ordinary people, says Aimi Zulhazmi (Pic courtesy of Aimi Zulhazmi) Realising ASEAN Connectivity Wisma Putra-Youth Diplomacy Task Force member Azwan Omar agreed that ASEAN must prioritise the removal of non-tariff barriers and accelerate banking integration. He said this will facilitate smoother capital movement and trade financing across ASEAN, adding that with better infrastructure and policy connectivity, intra-ASEAN investment could flourish. 'We need to grow our own demand base. That comes from a strong middle class and improved income distribution,' he told TMR. Azwan also welcomed Algeria and Uruguay's inclusion in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia (TAC), saying it reinforces ASEAN's non-aligned identity. 'This sends a signal that ASEAN is open for business, but not taking sides in global rivalries.' He also stressed the importance of translating strategic plans into action. 'Enough talk. Let's start building real ASEAN connectivity — roads, rails and digital infrastructure that people can see and feel,' he said. Azwan also supported the MOU on nuclear cooperation, calling it a long-term step toward energy security. To keep growing, Malaysia needs stable and excess electricity, which is critical for future investors. Reinforcing ASEAN's Geopolitical Identity With Algeria and Uruguay signing the TAC and Timor-Leste on track for accession, ASEAN continues to reinforce its identity as a neutral and non-aligned regional bloc. Experts say this gives ASEAN more geopolitical leverage in an increasingly divided world. Azwan said international recognition of ASEAN as a free and non-aligned region allows sovereign nations to conduct business and investment here without being drawn into US-China rivalry. Meanwhile, Mazlan said Timor-Leste's full inclusion would help secure the bloc's cohesion. 'ASEAN must not allow outside powers to influence member candidates. If we delay, others will step in.' Mazlan also cautioned that ASEAN's internal harmonisation of laws, especially in areas such as trade and cybersecurity, remains insufficient. The lack of legal alignment allows cyber-criminals to take advantage of regulatory gaps between member states, making it difficult to pursue enforcement. He pointed to the rising cases of digital scams and online fraud as pressing concerns, noting that some perpetrators operate from neighbouring ASEAN countries and evade prosecution due to overlapping jurisdictions and enforcement loopholes. Mazlan stressed that urgent reform is needed to implement synchronised digital laws and robust cross-border enforcement mechanisms across the region. Centrality in Global Disruption The 58th AMM also addressed regional responses to global instability. The ministers reaffirmed ASEAN Centrality and non-alignment as core principles amid ongoing tension in the South China Sea, protectionist trade policies and energy insecurity. TMR earlier reported that during the plenary session, Mohamad stressed that ASEAN will continue to deal with regional and strategic challenges in its own way — not mirroring other blocs or alliances. 'We need to reaffirm our strategic consistency and internal cohesion. If ASEAN is fragmented, external powers will exploit the vacuum,' he warned. The meeting's declarations and MOUs signal ASEAN's intent to position itself as a stabilising force, but analysts stress that success depends on follow-through before the 47th ASEAN Summit later this year. Aimi Zulhazmi said ASEAN's collective voice can only be strong if member states act as one. With a population of nearly 700 million and combined GDP of almost US$4 trillion, ASEAN has significant leverage. 'But that leverage is only real if it is coordinated,' he said. The Road to 47th ASEAN Summit While declarations were made on environment, human rights and nuclear energy, observers note that the region's credibility depends on delivery. Mohamad pointed out that the region is no longer insulated from global disruption. 'Whether it is trade wars, cybercrime, or climate shifts, ASEAN must be a source of certainty in an uncertain world,' he said. He reiterated that ASEAN must not only chart policy but materialise the spirit of its commitments. 'We must uphold the trust placed in us by the people.' As ASEAN moves towards the 47th Summit, focus will remain on the operationalisation of Timor-Leste's accession, the rollout of legal harmonisation frameworks, energy transition and accelerating intra-ASEAN trade mechanisms. Mazlan emphasised that ASEAN must move beyond being merely a platform for dialogue and instead evolve into a proactive, unified force that protects its people, promotes shared prosperity and upholds peace in a turbulent world. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
New padi varieties tackle weedy rice
A more resistant crop: Mohamad (left) inspecting the new Clearfield rice varieties at the Felcra Bhd Seed Centre, Seberang Perak. He is accompanied by Robert Upton, BASF head of business management South-East Asia. — Bernama PASIR SALAK: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, through the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), has introduced two new padi varieties to address the weedy rice issue in the country. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the development of the new MR CL3 and MR CL4 varieties was the result of a strategic collaboration between Mardi and BASF (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd over the past 20 years. 'MR CL3 and MR CL4 mature earlier, at 99 days, and have a yield potential of over seven tonnes per hectare,' he said during the launch of the new Clearfield padi varieties at the Felcra Bhd Seed Centre here. Also present were ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak; Perak Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun; Mardi Governing Board chairman Dr Azman Ismail; and Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani. Mohamad said both varieties are also resistant to leaf and neck blast diseases and can be utilised under current KPKM initiatives, such as the five padi planting seasons in two years programme and the Large-Scale SMART Padi Field (SMART SBB) programme. As for the commercialisation of the new varieties, he said it would be carried out through the Clearfield Production System, which includes padi varieties, imidazolinone herbicide (Trek) and stewardship guidelines, to tackle the weedy rice issue. Mohamad added that the MR CL3 and MR CL4 varieties were specifically bred to be resistant to imidazolinone herbicides, Bernama reported. Weedy rice, also known as 'padi angin' in Malaysia, is a problematic weed that can significantly reduce crop yields. Earlier, Mohamad also officiated the launch of the new Integrated Agricultural Development Area Complex in Seberang Perak.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Cloud seeding to tackle dry padi fields in Perak
PASIR SALAK: Cloud seeding operations will soon be conducted to alleviate dry conditions affecting padi fields in Perak, announced Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. The move comes after farmers in Kerian raised concerns over declining water levels in Bukit Merah Lake due to prolonged hot weather. Mohamad stated that while cloud seeding has been attempted before, water reservoirs remain a critical issue. 'We are working on the cloud seeding. We've done it before as well, but we'll have to wait and water reservoirs remain a critical concern,' he said during a press conference at the Felcra Berhad Padi Seed Centre. To further address water shortages, a water transfer project from Sungai Perak to Bukit Merah Dam is set to begin in August. This initiative aims to boost water supply for agricultural use in the Kerian region. Separately, Mohamad mentioned that rice supply quotas for manufacturers will be adjusted based on production capacity. 'The quota is based on capacity. If a Bumiputera-owned factory has the capacity, we will do our best to assist,' he explained. The Perak state government recently sought an increased rice supply quota for manufacturers, particularly Bumiputera-owned firms, to ensure stable food production. State committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun emphasised the need for collaboration between large and small manufacturers to maintain supply chain resilience. - Bernama
