Latest news with #Large-ScaleSmartPaddyField
Malaysian Reserve
23-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Resilience in the fields: A farmer's story of grit and growth
Behind every grain of rice is a battle with weather, rising costs and a system farmers must fight to survive by SHAUQI WAHAB WHILE most Malaysians gathered for festive meals this Hari Raya, rice farmer Mohd. Izuan Zainal Abidin was tending to his seven hectares of paddy in Selangor — safeguarding the harvest his family depends on. A part-time farmer and full-time factory technician, Mohd. Izuan's bond with rice farming began as a boy, working alongside his late father. 'My father used to say rice doesn't grow in fields, it grows in hands,' he recalls. That wisdom continues to shape his relationship with the land. Though he now works weekdays in a factory, Mohd. Izuan spends weekends fully immersed in paddy farming. His seven hectares may be modest, but they carry a legacy he holds dear. Determined to produce high-quality fragrant rice, Mohd. Izuan invested in a lightweight harvester, avoiding damage to plants and earning consistently low paddy deductions by Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS). 'Most people see rice as just food, but for some of us, it is our livelihood,' he shared. Farming has never been easy. Mohd. Izuan has battled floods, crop diseases, and volatile markets. A five-day flood last season destroyed his young seedlings, forcing him to replant by hand. 'I nearly gave up,' he admits. 'My returns weren't enough to cover the costs. It was the Covid-19 EPF withdrawal that helped me stay afloat.' Today, Mohd. Izuan adapts his planting to weather forecasts and field conditions, managing pests and adjusting his sowing cycles. His ambition is to expand his land and improve yields through mechanisation and smarter farming practices. Mohd. Izuan says most people see rice as just food, but for farmers, it is a livelihood Support That Matters What keeps him going, he says, is the steady support from the government and BERNAS. Through subsidies, drone services, affordable machinery rentals, and fertiliser assistance, Mohd. Izuan has been able to improve his harvest and income. A key initiative is the Large-Scale Smart Paddy Field (SMART SBB) programme, led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with BERNAS' operational support. It consolidates small farms for more efficient land use and provides shared resources, technology and training The programme aims to significantly boost domestic rice production and support the country's self-sufficiency level (SSL) targets for rice. This is achieved through the consolidation of smaller rice fields within an area under a centralised farm management system, allowing for more effective use of resources, optimising land usage and adoption of best agricultural practices. BERNAS also provides training and education programmes, incentives for improved yields and projects to reduce the threat of rice field rats, among others, for farmers. This support, though not always seen or heard, plays an important background role in stabilising the system. 'BERNAS has made a real difference,' Mohd. Izuan says. 'From rental of machines to technical advice — they've been with us when it matters.' Earlier this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced additional special assistance totalled at RM90 million through BERNAS, providing farmers like Mohd. Izuan with crucial tools and inputs during a difficult season. Feeding a Nation, One Harvest at a Time This Hari Raya Haji, as the fields fall silent and the day's work yields to celebration, Mohd. Izuan joins his kampung's korban ceremony with profound gratitude. He savours moments with loved ones — his children's laughter echoing through the rice stalks — and reflects on a year of challenges overcome. Each grain on our festive table carries the sweat, skill and spirit of a resilient farmer whose journey from a schoolboy apprentice to a visionary steward of Selangor's paddy lands embodies hope against the odds. Each grain on our festive table carries the sweat, skill and spirit of a resilient farmer whose journey from a schoolboy apprentice to a visionary steward of Selangor's paddy lands embodies hope against the odds. For Mohd. Izuan, rice farming isn't just a livelihood — it's a legacy. 'When I see people enjoying rice at restaurants, I feel proud,' he says. 'It's the result of our hard work.' As Malaysia strengthens its food security efforts, farmers like Mohd. Izuan remains central to that mission — quietly, steadily and with hands in the soil. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
The Star
31-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Sabah farmers embrace modern methods through SMART SBB
KOTA KINABALU: Jafli Latu owns a piece of land inherited from his parents decades ago. To the 63-year-old, this land is more than just a farm; it is a legacy, a symbol of resilience, a connection to his roots, and a source of pride that carries the hopes of his family and community. Jafli has experienced everything, from using buffaloes to plough the soil to embracing technology-driven farming. "Today, we plant with purpose. Not just to survive, but to grow and build something lasting," he said with a smile, brushing soil from his hands. This year's Kaamatan celebration, cherished by the Kadazandusun community, holds special meaning for Jafli and his fellow farmers. Traditionally a time to honour the earth and give thanks, Kaamatan now symbolises more than just the end of a planting season. In Kota Belud, it marks the triumph of a new agricultural approach transforming lives. Jafli recalls his late father's wisdom, who said rice was more than food; it nourished the soul. "For many years, farming felt like a gamble. We barely harvested two tonnes per hectare, sometimes even less." "It was all back-breaking work, done entirely by hand," he recalled, adding that the high cost of fertilisers, unpredictable weather, and uncertain yields worsened things. But change began when Jafli was introduced to the Large-Scale Smart Paddy Field (SMART SBB) programme, blending modern technology with traditional knowledge. He was sceptical at first, as were some 40 others who joined the programme, but when yields increased from 2.6 to more than four metric tonnes per hectare in one season, they recognised its potential. The SMART SBB initiative, a collaboration between the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), aims to strengthen Malaysia's food security through strategic, field-level partnerships. Launched in June 2022 in Kampung Jawi-Jawi, Kota Belud, the programme delivered an immediate impact. Yields rose by more than 60% in the first season alone, and in 2024, the number of participants doubled to over 80 across nine areas. In addition to Jawi-Jawi, participating areas now cover over 160ha of paddy land, including Timbang Dayang, Taun Gusi Keranjangan, Sangkir, and Kesapang. Under the programme, farmers now use drones to survey fields, plant TR8 seeds directly into water, and operate modern paddy transplanters, making the process faster, more efficient, and less physically demanding. For Terpilih Sunus from Kampung Kesapang, the most significant change was not only the improved yield but the shift in farming methods. "When we saw our yields rise by over 60% in the first season, I knew we could not return to the old ways." "Now, with guidance from technical officers, we follow a more precise method. We use drones, plant the TR8 seeds more efficiently, and operate machinery that saves us days of work," she said. To Terpilih and many others, the combination of training, logistical support, and structured market access under this public-private partnership sets a new benchmark for Malaysia's paddy sector. Noraini James echoed her sentiments, saying that tasks that once took weeks are now completed in just a few days. "There is no more back-breaking seed carrying. Now, I refer to drone-generated soil data. Our yields have tripled," she said with a laugh. She explained that the programme had not only boosted production but also changed her outlook on agriculture. "I used to work in the city, but I came back to help my parents. After seeing our yield triple, I now see a future in this field. We are no longer just planting paddy; we are managing harvests like a business," she said. For farmers in Kota Belud, this year's Kaamatan carries a deeper meaning. It is no longer just a cultural celebration but a reflection of resilience, renewal, and progress. "Kaamatan is about honouring the earth and its blessings. This year, I feel truly worthy of receiving the Kaamatan rice because our work has been more systematic and productive," said Noraini. The SMART SBB programme has modernised traditional practices, ensuring farmers have access to quality inputs, fair pricing, and guaranteed purchase agreements. Consistent technical support and reliable procurement channels have lifted the burden of selling harvests at poor prices or uncertain markets. As a strategic implementation partner, BERNAS plays a key role in supporting Malaysia's food security through its involvement in field operations and market facilitation. "Before this, our harvests often went unsold because we could not get them to market quickly. Now, with dedicated buyers and structured channels, we have the confidence to keep planting," said Jafli, smiling.
