All smiles: Dr Mahathir flanked by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (left) and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Salahuddin Ayub at the opening of the National Padi Convention in Alor Setar. — Bernama
ALOR SETAR: Padi farmers can rise out of poverty if they are prepared to accept the idea of consolidating their smallholdings and operating them as estates, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
The Prime Minister said they should learn from the success of the amalgamation of rubber as well as oil palm smallholdings and work their land as large-scale plantations with the help of agricultural expertise and skills.
