BACHOK – The Large-Scale SMART Paddy Field (SMART SBB) Mini Sekinchan programme, which is currently being implemented in several states, will end the country’s reliance on imported rice within two years.
Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s Agricultural Industry Development Division secretary Datuk Azman Mahmood said the SMART SBB programme had been able to encourage the systematic cultivation of paddy which was previously done on an individual basis.
“The SMART SBB programme being implemented nationwide has helped to increase rice yield by more than 50%.
“We target to increase the average rice yield from 3.75 metric tons to between seven and 10 metric tons per hectare for each paddy farmer within two years,” he told reporters after officiating a SMART SBB programme at Surau Bator Mosque, Gunong here today.
Elaborating, Azman said if paddy farmers are able to produce seven to 10 metric tons per hectare, the country’s goal to end reliance on imports will be achieved and Malaysia could also become an exporter in future.
He said the innovation brought about by the initiative was the use of technology such as transplanters to produce higher yield and better quality rice.
“Apart from a more systematic way of cultivation by using the Internet of Things, the programme facilitates the management of weeds, diseases and pests.
“So far, we have launched over 11,000ha of paddy fields nationwide, with the exception of Melaka and Johor, involving 5,000 farmers,” he said.
Azman added that the ministry also intends to work with an expert (professor) from Indonesia to introduce rice seedlings that only take 75 days to harvest.
He said if this variety of rice seedling is available, paddy cultivation can be carried out three times a year.
“Right now, normal seedlings such as the MR219, MR297 varieties are being cultivated which take 105 days to harvest,” he said. – Bernama, July 9, 2023
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