Latest news with #MARDI
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Mardi to launch three new durian varieties in Malaysia
KUALA KANGSAR: The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) is set to introduce three new durian varieties within the next two years. MARDI director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani said the institute is currently evaluating several promising hybrid durians that could lead to new clones. 'We're assessing their suitability for planting in different locations. Apart from MARDI Kuala Kangsar, we're also developing hybrids at MARDI Jerangau in Terengganu. 'The names and codes are still being finalised and will be announced at the official launch,' he told reporters after the Duriotourism programme with the media at MARDI Kuala Kangsar today. Meanwhile, Mohamad Zabawi said the hybrid MRDI Super 88 (MS88) variety will be rebranded with a more appealing name. He added that 13,000 MS88 durian trees have been planted nationwide under MARDI's full supervision. 'Some trees are now between two and three years old, so in the next five to six years, they should be ready for wider commercial distribution,' he said. - Bernama
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
National Seed Council To Be Launched Soon To Address Monopoly Issues
PASIR SALAK, July 14 (Bernama) -- The National Seed Council, which is currently in the final stages of evaluation, will be launched soon. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the body is crucial to ensure proper regulation of the seed industry in the country and prevent monopolisation by any particular company or country. "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 said. The minister said this in a press conference following the Clearfield padi varieties MR CL3 and MR CL4 declaration at the FELCRA Plantation Services Sdn Bhd Padi Seed Centre in Seberang Perak today. Also present were the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak; Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) board chairman Dr Azman Ismail; State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun; and MARDI director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani. Mohamad also said that one of the council's key functions will be to establish a seed repository system or an official storage centre for all types of 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, KPKM, in a meeting, decided to designate MARDI as the lead agency for the National Seed Hub, in addition to establishing an advisory council comprising various experts to develop the coordinating body. Malaysia currently relies almost entirely on imported seeds, including 90 per cent of vegetable and watermelon seeds valued at RM2.7 million.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
New padi varieties MR CL3 and MR4 combat weedy rice in Malaysia
PASIR SALAK: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) has unveiled two new padi varieties, MR CL3 and MR CL4, to address the persistent issue of weedy rice in Malaysia. Developed through a 20-year collaboration between MARDI and BASF (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, these varieties promise higher yields and better resistance to common diseases. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu highlighted the benefits of the new strains during the launch at the FELCRA Berhad Seed Centre. 'MR CL3 and MR CL4 mature in just 99 days and can produce over seven tonnes per hectare,' he said. These varieties are also resistant to leaf and neck blast diseases, making them suitable for KPKM initiatives like the five padi planting seasons in two years and the SMART SBB programme. The commercialisation of these padi varieties will follow the Clearfield Production System, which includes specialised herbicides and stewardship guidelines to manage weedy rice effectively. 'These varieties are bred to withstand imidazolinone herbicides, ensuring better control over invasive weeds,' Mohamad added. Weedy rice, locally known as 'padi angin,' is a major agricultural challenge, often reducing crop yields significantly. The introduction of MR CL3 and MR CL4 aims to mitigate this issue while enhancing productivity for farmers. The event also saw the inauguration of the new Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Complex in Seberang Perak, marking another step in modernising Malaysia's agricultural sector. - Bernama
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
KPKM Introduces Two New Padi Varieties To Tackle Weedy Rice Problem
PASIR SALAK, July 14 (Bernama) -- The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) through the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) today 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 Berhad Seed Centre here.
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia rooting for 30pc locally grown shallots by 2030 — but here's why it's a tough row to hoe
KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — A generous sprinkle of bawang goreng or fried shallots is undoubtedly the best way to top off most local meals — be it nasi goreng, Maggi goreng or even a bowl of porridge. Perhaps the fact that shallots are a staple in almost all our meals has made us assume that the humble bulbs can thrive anywhere, even in our backyard. Well, we couldn't — up until now. Malaysia has been importing shallots, big onions and garlic for decades because it was the cheaper option and there was no suitable variety that could adapt to our local climate. But after a breakthrough discovery by the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) in 2023, Malaysia is now aiming to produce 30 per cent of its shallots locally by 2030. Wan Rozita Wan Engah, a senior research officer at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), led the initiative that discovered three suitable shallot varieties for planting in Malaysia. — Picture courtesy of Mardi Why cultivate now? Currently, Malaysia fully relies on imported onions and garlic, with China, India, Pakistan, the Netherlands and Thailand as its major suppliers. For instance, Malaysia imported 687,000 metric tonnes of onions worth RM1.58 billion in 2022. Of this, shallots comprised 38,000 metric tonnes worth RM2.5 million. Wan Rozita Wan Engah, a senior research officer who led Mardi's shallot cultivation initiative, said the institute launched a study on the viability of producing shallots locally in the 1980s. However, the plan was later shelved as shallot cultivation was an expensive endeavour, and there was no suitable heat-tolerant variety that could adapt to Malaysian weather back then. Wan Rozita said shallots only make up less than 10 per cent of Malaysia's total onion imports. However, a massive flood in India triggered a severe shortage of shallots in 2019, causing prices to jump from RM4 per kg to RM18 per kg. The following year, movement restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 also disrupted supply chains. The supply chain shock led Mardi to resume its search for a suitable variety of shallot to cultivate locally. While the cost of producing shallots locally remains a key challenge, Wan Rozita said food security concerns necessitate Malaysia to venture into shallot farming. Unlike shallots, garlic thrives best in countries with four seasons and requires a longer harvest period, making it less ideal for cultivation in Malaysia. — Picture by Firdaus Latif So, what's the breakthrough? Wan Rozita said shallots require year-round sun and thrive in relatively warm weather, between 25 and 32 degrees Celsius. Shallots must also be grown on loose and well-drained soil, as water retention could cause the bulbs to rot. 'The soil has to be moist but not too wet. So, the best time to plant shallots in Malaysia is between February and August because the rainy season starts after this period. 'Since each season takes about 65 days, we can carry out two planting seasons every year — from February to April and then from June to August,' Wan Rozita said. From 2021 to 2023, Wan Rozita and her team collected 15 varieties of shallots from various countries — including India, China, Pakistan, Indonesia and Thailand — and planted them in Malaysia as part of an adaptation study. After a rigorous series of selections, they shortlisted three varieties that could thrive in Malaysia: BAW-1, BAW-2 and BAW-3. Currently, the BAW-1 and BAW-3 varieties are cultivated via bulb, while BAW-2 is cultivated using seeds. Last year, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced the government's ambition to locally produce 30 per cent of shallots by 2030 in two phases. The first phase, or the pre-commercial phase, will run from 2024 to 2025. During this phase, Mardi will distribute 70 tonnes of shallot seeds and 230kg of seed grains. An area of 100ha will also be designated for shallot cultivation. The second phase, or the commercialisation phase, will run from 2026 to 2030. A total of 1,347ha of land will be earmarked for shallot cultivation during this period to meet the 30 per cent target. But why only shallots — and what's next? Wan Rozita said tubers like big onions and garlic thrive best in countries with four seasons and require a long harvest period, ranging between eight to 10 months. 'By contrast, shallots have a shorter harvest period and farmers can see returns faster,' she said. Mardi is also currently carrying out a cross-breeding exercise to develop a new variety of shallot for Malaysia in Cameron Highlands. If successful, Malaysia's shallot industry will become self-sustaining — without having to rely on foreign varieties for farming.
