‘Prime Minister asked Mardi to intensify efforts to develop new varieties, particularly by looking at the high yields per hectare achieved in China.’
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) to intensify research into new high-yielding paddy varieties to prepare the agriculture sector for possible El Nino-related drought.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the instruction was issued during a food security meeting yesterday (July 15), with researchers asked to examine the significantly higher yields per hectare achieved in China.
“At yesterday’s food security meeting, the Prime Minister asked Mardi to intensify efforts to develop new varieties, particularly by looking at the high yields per hectare achieved in China. Mardi was asked to further step up its research,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was responding to Bakri Jamaluddin (PN-Tangga Batu), who asked about the government’s preparations to safeguard irrigation water, paddy output, food crops, livestock and national food supplies during El Nino.
Bakri later asked about the government’s contingency plans and assistance for farmers if El Nino disrupted regional rice production and imports.
Mohamad said RM38.53 million had been disbursed to 55,058 paddy farmers covering about 16,933ha under the second phase of drought assistance up to June 30.
This followed RM45.24 million channelled to 8,224 farmers under the first phase since 2024.
He added that paddy farmers could also receive protection through Agrobank’s takaful scheme and assistance from the Farmers’ Organisation Authority.
On rice security, he said the government was safeguarding near-term supplies while expanding production capacity in several states.
“On paddy and rice, we always maintain stocks at about six months. Some netizens say that if our rice stocks are secured for six months, there will be no rice by January next year.
“That is not what it means. We continuously maintain stocks at around six months.
“Large-scale paddy areas are now being opened in Pekan, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak, with Sarawak receiving particular focus,” he said, adding that full details would be provided through a written reply.
Mohamad said Mardi had already developed several paddy varieties, including the drought-resistant MR380, MR381 and MR382, as part of efforts to protect production against changing weather conditions.
The ministry, he added, was also monitoring water levels at dams and catchment areas while expanding smart irrigation monitoring and drip irrigation systems to reduce wastage.
Water use in major granary areas would also be managed through staggered irrigation schedules, with pumps to be deployed where necessary in drought-hit areas near rivers.
He said cloud-seeding operations could also be carried out when conditions permitted, although the measure required suitable cloud formations to be effective.
