Better infrastructure, better rice yields

By Teoh El Sen - Free Malaysia Today

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia would not have to depend on imported rice if the right infrastructure is put in place and farms are able to produce better yields, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Chua Tee Yong.
But to attain 100% self-sufficiency in rice production, he said, not only required the funds but also the commitment from all parties, including the farmers.

"Under the 10MP (10th Malaysia Plan), we are spending about RM1 billion this year itself on agriculture, and a lot of that would be going to the construction of irrigation systems including dams to upgrade padi infrastructures here," he told FMT.

He said irrigation in developed areas such as in Selangor is much more effective compared to places like Kedah, and those were the areas where better infrastructure is needed.

Malaysia is now at about 70% self-sufficient. The country is importing about 30% of its needs for rice or 700,000 tonnes from other countries annually.

"At 70%, we are on target but the issue is that our population is also constantly growing, so to maintain that we have to plant more," said Chua, who is the son of MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek.

He said padi fields in Malaysia, on average, produce about 3.5 to four tonnes per hectare and to achieve 100% self-sufficiency, six to seven tonnes per hectare is required.

"Now we have fields that produce good yield with about 12 tonnes per hectare but also those that produce only three tonnes per hectare.

“From that we can see that there is definitely work to be done, that includes more commitment from farmers. Everyone in the cycle has a role to play, the government can't just say we have a motive for self-sufficiency, and provide the money, and it will work," he added.

Population is increasing

Chua said the government is constantly opening more fields and in Kota Belud, Sabah, a large field was recently opened.

"We cannot forget that despite opening more fields, our population is also increasing, so we also need better yield. And irrigation plays a huge role in this," he said, adding that insufficient water would cause diseases.

Chua also said that to achieve better production, the federal and state governments would have to work hand-in-hand and more research is required for potentially better padi grade.

"We are dealing with something quite land intensive, to identify land and to earmark it for padi production is not something easy,” he said.

Chua said land matters, including abandoned plots of farm land, require the cooperation of the state government.