Latest news with #MRCL3
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- 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 Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Cloud seeding to be carried out in Kerian to address dry padi fields
PASIR SALAK: Cloud seeding will be carried out to address the issue of dry padi fields caused by hot weather, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. The Agriculture and Food Security Minister said the decision was made following concerns raised by padi farmers in Kerian, Perak, over the receding water level in Bukit Merah Lake. "We are working on the cloud seeding. We've done it before but we'll have to wait and see. However, (levels at) reservoirs remain a critical concern. "That is why a water transfer project is being planned in the Kerian Valley to address water issues in the Kerian Valley and South Seberang Prai," he told a press conference after a ceremony to unveil the new Clearfield padi varieties MR CL3 and MR CL4 at the Felcra Berhad Padi Seed Centre here on Monday (July 14). Mohamad said the raw water distribution project from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam, aimed at increasing water supply capacity for agricultural use in the Kerian area, is expected to begin in August. In another development, he said the increase in rice supply quotas to manufacturers would be based on each factory's production capacity. "The quota is based on capacity. If a bumiputra-owned factory has the capacity, we will do our best to assist," he said. On Wednesday, Perak rural development, plantation, agriculture and food industry committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun said that the state government would submit a request to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to increase the rice supply quota for manufacturers, especially bumiputra manufacturers, to meet current needs and safeguard the country's food supply. He said the move was crucial to ensure cooperation between large and small manufacturers in revitalising the rice industry and maintaining a stable and adequate supply. – Bernama
Barnama
14-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Cloud Seeding To Be Carried Out To Address Dry Padi Fields
PASIR SALAK, July 14 (Bernama) -- Cloud seeding operations will be carried out to address the issue of dry padi fields caused by the hot weather, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He said the decision was made following concerns raised by padi farmers in Kerian, Perak, over the receding water level in Bukit Merah Lake due to the hot weather. '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. 'That is why a water transfer project is being planned in the Kerian Valley to address water issues in the Kerian Valley and South Seberang Perai,' he told a press conference after a ceremony to unveil the new Clearfield padi varieties MR CL3 and MR CL4 at the Felcra Berhad Padi Seed Centre here today. Mohamad said the raw water distribution project from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam, aimed at increasing water supply capacity for agricultural use in the Kerian area, is expected to begin in August. In another development, he said the increase in rice supply quotas to manufacturers would be based on each factory's capacity to produce the country's staple food. 'The quota is based on capacity. If a Bumiputera-owned factory has the capacity, we will do our best to assist,' he said. Last Wednesday, Perak Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun said that the state government would submit a request to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to increase the rice supply quota for manufacturers, especially Bumiputera manufacturers, to meet current needs and safeguard the country's food supply. He said the move was crucial to ensure cooperation between large and small manufacturers in revitalising the rice industry and maintaining a stable and adequate supply.
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
New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Mardi unveils 2 new rice varieties to boost yields, fight weedy rice problem
PASIR SALAK: The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) today introduced two new rice varieties, MR CL3 and MR CL4, to tackle the persistent problem of weedy rice (padi angin) in the country. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the new varieties are the result of a strategic collaboration between Mardi and German chemical company BASF, a partnership that began two decades ago. Mohamad said MR CL3 and MR CL4 offer several advantages, including early maturity, requiring only 99 days to harvest, and a high yield potential of over seven tonnes per hectare. "Both varieties also show resistance to leaf blast and panicle blast diseases," he said in his speech at the launch of the new Clearfield rice varieties CL3 and CL4 at the Felcra Seberang Perak today. Also present were the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Mardi board chairman Dr Azman Ismail and state Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun. He added that this innovation not only meets current agricultural challenges but also serves as a model for public-private collaboration in strengthening the national rice and padi industry. "The commercialisation of these varieties will follow the Clearfield Production System, which includes the rice varieties, the specialised herbicide 'Trek', and detailed technology usage guidelines. "These three components are integrated to ensure the sustainability of the technology and to address the weedy rice issue effectively," he said. At a press conference later, Mohamad said that plant diseases are constantly evolving, and currently, Malaysia's padi fields are significantly affected by weedy rice. "These plants appear healthy and robust, but as they near maturity, they fail to develop filled grains. The plants remain upright instead of bending, a sign that the panicles are empty and weak. "There is a need for technology that helps maintain plant strength and resilience, like the healthy padi we see growing next to us here. "This is the result of research between Mardi and BASF, and we hope it will help farmers increase their yields in the long run," he said. Meanwhile, Azman in his speech said weedy rice is one of the main challenges faced by local rice farmers. He said that the presence of weedy rice can lead to severe yield losses ranging from 20 per cent to 80 per cent, which in turn reduces farmers' income and negatively impacts the country's overall rice production. "The main strength of MR CL3 and MR CL4 lies in their tolerance to herbicides from the Imidazolinone group. "These varieties are developed from a hybrid of local strains — MR 253 and MR 220CL2 — which are resistant to the herbicide. "This enables selective and effective control of weedy rice without affecting the growth of MR CL3 and MR CL4," he said. On the commercial front, Azman said the two new varieties will be made available under the Clearfield Production System (CPS), which includes three core components: the rice seed variety, the herbicide, and the technology application guidelines. "Clearfield seeds will be sold only as part of a complete package including the Trek herbicide to ensure the proper and effective implementation of the system," he said. He also expressed hope that all stakeholders, particularly seed producers and farmers, would fully understand and adhere to the system's guidelines. "Compliance is key to ensuring the long-term sustainability of this technology and its continued success in combating weedy rice," he added.
