4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Five-season padi planting in two years reforms country's padi ecosystem
JERLUN: The Five-Season Padi Cultivation Programme in the Muda Area in Kedah will bring about comprehensive reforms to the country's padi and rice industry ecosystem, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said this would at once reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the country's rice self-sufficiency rate.
"This initiative is very close to my heart. Therefore, rapid implementation and effective coordination are very important to increase the capacity of local rice farmers and ensure more sustainable harvests," he said in a statement to the media here yesterday.
In this regard, Anwar called on the state government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) to continue to act promptly and in an integrated manner to make this important agenda a success.
He said the Madani government listens to the voices of rice farmers, understands their needs and is determined to continue to empower this sector through various ongoing initiatives.
This, he said, also proves the concern and determination of the Madani government in defending the fate of farmers, the backbone of the country's agro-food sector.
Earlier, the Prime Minister also conducted a working visit to one of the main infrastructure development projects under the Five-Season Padi Cultivation Programme in Two Years in the Muda Area in Batu 7, Kampung Kemboja, Ayer Hitam near here.
Also present in the visit were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Muda Agricultural Development Board (Mada) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh.
Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by Mada, the Prime Minister's visit was his second visit to the project site to review the progress of agricultural infrastructure development.
This was in preparation for the implementation of smart agriculture, in line with the government's efforts to strengthen the country's food supply and increase local rice production.
"This project currently being implemented focuses on upgrading the irrigation and drainage system and strengthening the use of modern technology in the padi cultivation sector.
"It is being implemented through a Public Private Partnership approach, which not only supports the intensification of planting activities, but is also able to increase the productivity of padi farmers and increase their income," said Mada.
According to Mada, the programme is also seen as a strategic effort to bring about major reforms in the country's padi and rice industry, in line with the goals of the Madani government.
The statement said with the implementation of five planting seasons within two years, the country is expected to be able to reduce its dependence on imported rice and increase the level of self-sufficiency (SSL) for this strategic commodity.
This development project includes two main components, namely the construction and maintenance of 15 Tertiary Irrigation System Blocks (Project 1) and the Pedu Dam Phase 1 Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project (Project 2), which involves a total allocation of around RM1 billion.
