KADA supplied 199,238 metric tonnes of white rice last year, a significant increase, and targets an 11% contribution in 2026
KOTA BHARU: The Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) contributed 199,238 metric tonnes of white rice to the national supply last year. This figure represents 9.5% of the country’s total requirement, an increase from 143,773 metric tonnes the previous year.
Its chairman Khalid Abd Samad said the increase reflects the effectiveness of various improvement initiatives. These included more systematic crop management, efficient use of agricultural inputs, and strengthened infrastructure support.
“It shows KADA’s ability to continue strengthening its contribution to the national rice supply. For this year, we are targeting to increase the contribution to at least 11%,” he told reporters after the KADA 2026 New Year Mandate Ceremony at its headquarters here.
Khalid said KADA will continue to strengthen paddy production capacity through an integrated approach. This approach focuses on increasing productivity, modernising farming practices, adopting smart technology, and efficient, sustainable water resource management.
He said the approach aims to reduce dependence on rice imports. It also forms an important basis for sustainably strengthening the country’s food sovereignty in the medium and long term.
“In efforts to expand paddy planting areas, KADA plans to re-cultivate 242 hectares of abandoned land in Tumpat through cooperation with the Kelantan State Agricultural Development Corporation. We will also implement paddy planting on 60 hectares of saline-affected rice fields in Kampung Simpangan, Tumpat,” he said.
Khalid added that they will identify rice field areas around Machang to be developed under KADA’s supervision.
He said the Kemubu Pump Stations 3 and 4 project facilities are expected to begin operations next month. Alongside ongoing embankment strengthening and pile improvement works, these are believed to be able to address irrigation water shortages during the dry season this year.
Khalid also informed that KADA received an allocation of RM317 million through the 13th Malaysia Plan to implement 19 development projects. This comprises 18 new projects and one continuation project.
He said the allocation is strategically framed to support KADA’s mandate in strengthening the national food chain. This aligns with the need to increase the food system’s resilience in the face of global market uncertainties, climate change, and geopolitical pressures.
Apart from the paddy sector, 2025 also saw success in the non-paddy sector. It involved 426 participants with an allocation totalling RM73.78 million for the development of agripreneurs under KADA’s supervision.
