Bernas, USM launch eco-friendly barn owl project to combat rice field pest
KUALA LUMPUR: Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas) in collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has launched the "Driving Sustainable Agriculture" project to reduce the threat of rice field rats and lessen dependence on pesticide use.
According to Bernas, the initiative introduces the use of barn owls (Tyto alba javanica) as a natural biological control agent to combat paddy field rats — one of the primary threats to the crop yields of smallholder farmers in Malaysia.
"This collaborative project with USM is driven by the Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG) under the School of Biological Sciences and is fully funded by GlobalGiving, an international organisation that supports sustainable development worldwide," it said in a statement.
BORG Coordinator and lead researcher Dr Hasber Salim said this project stands as evidence of how ecology-based approaches can replace toxic rat poisons, which pose significant risks to humans, wildlife, and the environment.
Salim said the project is specifically focused on paddy-growing regions, particularly supporting B40 farmers in adopting more environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices.
"Bernas plays a crucial role in on-ground implementation, including logistics, the distribution of 20 barn owl nest boxes to selected farmers, and the management of community awareness campaigns," he said.
Meanwhile, Bernas head of the farm management department Mohd Zakri Bin Zulkafli said the company is committed to supporting this innovative effort as it aligns with its role as a key stakeholder in the nation's rice industry.
In addition to helping farmers reduce costs and the risks associated with chemical pesticides, Mohd Zakri said this initiative also contributes towards a more sustainable and competitive agricultural ecosystem.
"This pilot programme has the potential to become an alternative eco-friendly and safe pest control model for paddy fields, in line with Bernas's agenda to ensure the
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