KEPALA BATAS: The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), has introduced a new padi variety known as MR 333 or "Menora".
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the new variety aims to boost the yield and resilience of the nation’s rice crops.
"The MR 333 variety is the result of Mardi's intensive research, supported by an allocation of RM36.1mil under the 12th Malaysia Plan for rice R&D activities," he said during his speech at Menora's launch at Kampung Lahar Minyak here on Monday (Aug 25).
Mohamad said the new variety, in line with the objectives of the National Rice Industry Reform Plan, is developed specially for granary areas and has recorded a yield potential of up to 9.96 tonnes per hectare.
He said the new variety has proven to be competitive and resistant to diseases.
He was also confident that, with good farming practices, the variety can help increase farmers’ incomes.
To date, Mardi has developed 58 rice varieties that have been planted in more than 95% of the nation’s granary areas.
Varieties such as MR 297 and MR220 CL2 continue to be the top choice among farmers, according to the Agriculture Department report for the 2022/2023 main season.
Present during the event were Mardi governing board chairman Dr Azman Ismail, ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Badrul Hisham Mohd, Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani, Penang agrotechnology, food security and cooperative development committee chairman Fahmi Zainol, and state Agriculture director Mohd Muhaimin Ibrahim.
