Latest news with #padi
Malay Mail
14-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Agriculture Ministry unveils new paddy varieties MR CL3 and MR CL4 to tackle weedy rice issue
PASIR SALAK, July 14 — 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. Also present were KPKM 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. He added that the MR CL3 and MR CL4 varieties were specifically bred to be resistant to imidazolinone herbicides. Weedy rice, also known as 'padi angin' in Malaysia, is a problematic weed that can significantly reduce crop yields. Earlier, Mohamad also officiated the new Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Complex in Seberang Perak. — Bernama
Malay Mail
15-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Mat Sabu: Iran impact on Malaysia's food supply low as key imports are from India, China and Asean
BERUAS, June 15 — Malaysia is not heavily dependent on food imports from Iran, and as such, the situation does not impact the country's food supply, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He explained that Malaysia's food import requirements from Iran are limited to dates and legume products, which are not among the country's primary food commodities. 'Most of our food imports (requirements) from Iran are not high (from Iran), Most of our imports are from India, Pakistan, the Middle East, China and Asean countries,' he told a press conference after visiting the Perak State Farmers' Organisation (PPN) cattle rearing project at PPN Perak Kampung Tengah here today. Meanwhile, when asked about the impact of the current hot weather on padi crops, Mohamad said that so far, 60 per cent of the country's padi production remains unaffected. However, he said, adjustments to the padi planting schedule may be necessary based on discussions with the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) and the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA). 'Sometimes we need to change the (planting) schedule a little and so on, depending on weather conditions and suitability,' he said. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu says paddy planting adjustments may be necessary if the current heatwave prolongs. — Unsplash pic Regarding today's visit, Mohamad said the ministry would assist the livestock farm, which currently houses about 500 animals, in building a slaughterhouse to help increase the farm's productivity. 'We have set a target to achieve a meat self-sufficiency level (SSL) of more than 30 per cent by 2030, compared to 20 per cent currently. With the developments we are seeing now, we are confident of reaching the goal,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
15-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Mat Sabu: Iran impact on Malaysia's food supply low as key imports from India, China and Asean
BERUAS, June 15 — Malaysia is not heavily dependent on food imports from Iran, and as such, the situation does not impact the country's food supply, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He explained that Malaysia's food import requirements from Iran are limited to dates and legume products, which are not among the country's primary food commodities. 'Most of our food imports (requirements) from Iran are not high (from Iran), Most of our imports are from India, Pakistan, the Middle East, China and Asean countries,' he told a press conference after visiting the Perak State Farmers' Organisation (PPN) cattle rearing project at PPN Perak Kampung Tengah here today. Meanwhile, when asked about the impact of the current hot weather on padi crops, Mohamad said that so far, 60 per cent of the country's padi production remains unaffected. However, he said, adjustments to the padi planting schedule may be necessary based on discussions with the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) and the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA). 'Sometimes we need to change the (planting) schedule a little and so on, depending on weather conditions and suitability,' he said. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu says paddy planting adjustments may be necessary if the current heatwave prolongs. — Unsplash pic Regarding today's visit, Mohamad said the ministry would assist the livestock farm, which currently houses about 500 animals, in building a slaughterhouse to help increase the farm's productivity. 'We have set a target to achieve a meat self-sufficiency level (SSL) of more than 30 per cent by 2030, compared to 20 per cent currently. With the developments we are seeing now, we are confident of reaching the goal,' he said. — Bernama
Malay Mail
06-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Mada ready for Southwest Monsoon to ensure smooth padi planting in Muda Area
ALOR SETAR, June 6 — The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) is fully prepared for the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to bring dry and hot weather conditions this month, in an effort to ensure the success of the first padi planting season in the Muda Area this year. In a statement today, MADA advised farmers to adhere strictly to the scheduled planting calendar and to expedite padi planting in their fields to maintain a smooth agricultural cycle. 'To address the anticipated water shortage, MADA has intensified the operation of drainage water reuse pumps and booster pumps to increase irrigation supply and speed up water distribution to padi fields. 'MADA is also deploying mobile pumps directly to affected fields to help farmers access water from the existing irrigation network,' the statement read. The agency said it had also held briefings and coordination meetings with field officers and farmers to tackle irrigation challenges, while expanding its agricultural extension efforts to ensure farmers remain aligned with the planting schedule. 'Farmer cooperation is crucial during this dry season to ensure uninterrupted planting activities,' it said. MADA said efficient on-field water management is key to ensuring equitable and sufficient distribution throughout the season. It also encouraged regular field monitoring to reduce the risk of pest and disease outbreaks that could affect crop yields. As of yesterday, water levels at all three of MADA's main dams remain adequate, namely Pedu Dam at 66.34 per cent, Muda Dam at 66.87 per cent, and Ahning Dam at 68.52 per cent. 'These levels indicate that the overall water reserves are sufficient to support irrigation needs for Season 1/2025 in Muda Area,' the statement read. MADA added that water will be released from the dams and distributed in phases, according to the official Season 1/2025 Paddy Planting Schedule. The agency will also continue to monitor weather developments closely, relying on forecasts and advisories from the Malaysian Meteorological Department to prepare for potential heat waves or prolonged dry spells. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
10-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Sabah revives rice and padi board to enhance self-sufficiency
Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor said the state government will focus on the development and management of padi cultivation across Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Tambunan, Keningau, Papar and Kota Belud. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The Sabah government today revived the Sabah Rice and Padi Board (LPBS), aiming to increase the state's rice self-sufficiency level to 30% by next year and 60% by 2030. Chief minister Hajiji Noor said various initiatives will be implemented through the board to enhance food security and meet local demand, while reducing dependence on imported rice. 'Currently, Sabah produces only about 22.8% of its rice needs, resulting in heavy reliance on imports,' Bernama reported him as saying at the launch of LPBS and Agrobank's Padi Planting Takaful Scheme in Kota Belud today. The text of his speech was read by deputy chief minister I and Sabah's agriculture, fisheries and food industry minister Jeffrey Kitingan. Hajiji called on the relevant state agencies to extend their full cooperation to the board, which will take over the development and management of padi cultivation from the agriculture department starting this year, and serve as the regulatory body for both areas moving forward. He said the state government will focus on the development and management of padi cultivation across the key districts of Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Tambunan, Keningau, Papar and Kota Belud, which collectively cover 22,218.35ha, involving 16,018 farmers. The government is also implementing several other initiatives, such as promoting hill padi cultivation and urging hill landowners to utilise their land to cultivate high-quality rice varieties. 'It is estimated that 13,266ha, or 32,767 acres, of hill land are suitable for padi cultivation, involving 15,617 farmers,' he said. If fully developed, these areas have the potential to yield up to 30,424 metric tonnes of hill padi annually.
