JOHOR is working towards increasing its rice production with the expansion of 70ha land dedicated to padi farming.
Johor agriculture, agro-based industry and rural development committee chairman Datuk Zahari Sarip said the additional land in Kluang and Muar would increase the current 1,850ha of active rice cultivation area in Johor to 1,920ha.
“This year, we have opened a new padi field with a total area of 20ha in Kahang, Kluang. Some RM613,000 has been allocated by the state government to develop the area.
“Infrastructure development and land preparation works are currently underway and have reached 90% completion so far,” he said, adding that the process was expected to be completed by early next year.
He said this in response to a question from Selamat Takim (BN-Sungai Balang) on efforts to increase rice production to cope with concerns over food security, during the Johor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
Zahari said another 50ha in Sungai Balang, Muar, would also be turned into a dedicated padi cultivation area in 2025.
“Land clearing process and infrastructure development will begin as soon as the land application has been approved by Muar Land Office and Johor Land and Mines Office,” he said.
He said the state government remained focused on its effort to increase rice production despite not being a ‘jelapang padi’ (rice bowl) state.
“This year, the state government allocated RM3.9mil for the development of padi fields in Johor.
“This includes the implementation of incentives for various kinds of support such as machinery, upgrade of structures and infrastructure, and management,” he said.
Zahari noted that there were 10 major padi fields in Johor – five of which were in Tangkak, two in Mersing, and one each in Muar, Batu Pahat and Kluang.
“Currently, the area and production of padi in Johor is relatively small.
“This accounts for only 0.8% compared to the national padi parcel area of 280,208ha,” he said, adding that the state government would continue to increase rice production.
