Giving it a go: Mohamad (centre) operating a rice-planting machine after inaugurating the Large-Scale Smart Padi Programme (SMART SBB) ala Sekinchan at Bendang Tok Ajam, Pasir Puteh. — Bernama
PASIR PUTEH: The Sekinchan-style large-scale smart padi field practice will be expanded nationwide, says the Agriculture and Food Security Minister.Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the targeted area to implement the Sekinchan-style SMART Large-Scale Padi Field (SMART SBB) practice constitutes one-third of Malaysia’s total estimated 600,000ha allocated for padi fields.
He said the ministry aims to expand to about 150,000ha of padi-planting area nationwide by 2030.
“Next month, I will discuss this and other related matters with the Sarawak Premier to turn Sarawak and (Sabah) into the country’s second rice bowl.
“In Kedah, we have the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), while in Kelantan, there is the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada).
“So, in Sabah and Sarawak, we will have a similar body to make it Malaysia’s second rice bowl,” he said, according to Bernama.
Mohamad was speaking to reporters after launching the SMART SBB ala Sekinchan Project in Bendang Tok Ajam here yesterday. He said RM10mil has been allocated for Sabah and Sarawak to open up more land for padi cultivation to achieve Malaysia’s goal of becoming a rice exporter by 2030.
“The introduction of the SMART SBB ala Sekinchan project in Sabah and Sarawak would enable the states to contribute towards our rice exports.
“We need to produce a minimum of seven metric tonnes per hectare, to approve export.
“Right now, we are only getting less than five metric tonnes per hectare,” he said.
According to him, in Kedah, the yield has increased from seven metric tonnes to 11 metric tonnes per hectare, while in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, it is only four metric tonnes.
Mohamad indicated that achieving a minimum yield of seven metric tonnes per hectare would position Malaysia as a rice exporter, leveraging the available land area and enhanced productivity attributed to modern agricultural practices.
