MALAYSIA is looking for ways to increase padi yields and reduce its dependence on rice imports from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos from 30 per cent today to 10 per cent in 2010.
Rice distributor Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), a government body entrusted to regulate the industry in Malaysia, now imports up to 40 per cent of rice from overseas as domestic production can only cater for 65 per cent of local consumption.
To achieve the government’s objective, the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada), Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) and six other granary areas in Malaysia are taking considerable steps to improve local production.
Both Kada and Mada are semi-government bodies entrusted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry to raise the socio-economic welfare of local farmers.
Kada has 31,000ha of padi fields in Bachok, Kota Baru, Pasir Puteh, Tumpat and Pasir Mas in Kelantan, with more than 8,000 farmers in the five districts, while Mada has more than 100,000ha of padi fields.
“Kada can produce 155,000 tonnes of padi, and extensive measures are being undertaken to double its production. We are looking at good agronomy practices, such as adding compound fertiliser, to increase yields,” Kada financial director Ibrahim Mat told Business Times in an interview.
He said Kada uses 930 bags, or 18,600kg, of local mix fertilisers worth RM18,600 to RM23,250, which are subsidised by the government.
It plans to add 155,000 bags, or 7.75 million kg, of compound fertilisers worth some RM7.77 million, which it will buy from local suppliers and the National Farmers’ Association Malaysia without government subsidy.
“We will look also into good water management to ensure the fields have sufficient supply of water, effective pest and disease control solutions, and good land preparation,” said Ibrahim.
He added that Kada will continue to use only certified seeds such as MR219 and MR220 approved by the government for plantation.
It currently uses 150kg of the seeds for every one hectare, generating five tonnes of padi, or 3.5 tonnes of rice.
“I am confident that the government’s objective will be achieved through these efforts,” Ibrahim said.
Farmers under Kada sell padi directly to Bernas or indirectly through the association.
They get RM934 for each tonne of padi sold, of which Bernas pays a fixed rate of RM650 for every one tonne while RM284 is a price subsidy by the government.
Rice distributor Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), a government body entrusted to regulate the industry in Malaysia, now imports up to 40 per cent of rice from overseas as domestic production can only cater for 65 per cent of local consumption.
To achieve the government’s objective, the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada), Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) and six other granary areas in Malaysia are taking considerable steps to improve local production.
Both Kada and Mada are semi-government bodies entrusted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry to raise the socio-economic welfare of local farmers.
Kada has 31,000ha of padi fields in Bachok, Kota Baru, Pasir Puteh, Tumpat and Pasir Mas in Kelantan, with more than 8,000 farmers in the five districts, while Mada has more than 100,000ha of padi fields.
“Kada can produce 155,000 tonnes of padi, and extensive measures are being undertaken to double its production. We are looking at good agronomy practices, such as adding compound fertiliser, to increase yields,” Kada financial director Ibrahim Mat told Business Times in an interview.
He said Kada uses 930 bags, or 18,600kg, of local mix fertilisers worth RM18,600 to RM23,250, which are subsidised by the government.
It plans to add 155,000 bags, or 7.75 million kg, of compound fertilisers worth some RM7.77 million, which it will buy from local suppliers and the National Farmers’ Association Malaysia without government subsidy.
“We will look also into good water management to ensure the fields have sufficient supply of water, effective pest and disease control solutions, and good land preparation,” said Ibrahim.
He added that Kada will continue to use only certified seeds such as MR219 and MR220 approved by the government for plantation.
It currently uses 150kg of the seeds for every one hectare, generating five tonnes of padi, or 3.5 tonnes of rice.
“I am confident that the government’s objective will be achieved through these efforts,” Ibrahim said.
Farmers under Kada sell padi directly to Bernas or indirectly through the association.
They get RM934 for each tonne of padi sold, of which Bernas pays a fixed rate of RM650 for every one tonne while RM284 is a price subsidy by the government.
