BALING: The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) has identified nearly 10,000ha of its padi fields that could potentially be converted for development, including housing and industrial projects.
Mada chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said that most of the identified areas are located around Alor Setar and Jitra, in Kedah.
Currently, Mada manages approximately 100,000ha of padi fields.
He said the new area identified for potential conversion from padi cultivation to development covers nearly 10,000ha, with mapping carried out by the district office.
“When the mapped area was overlaid onto Mada’s own maps, it came to a total of almost 10,000ha,” he told reporters here yesterday.
However, Ismail clarified that the entire 10,000ha would not be developed at once, as the process would take place gradually over time.
He added that if any padi fields under Mada’s supervision are converted for development, the agency will ensure they are replaced with new cultivation areas to safeguard the country’s food security.
He said Mada is in the process of acquiring about 3,000ha of land for padi cultivation, which will expand its total area to 103,000ha.
“Although some prime or urban areas within the Mada region may be converted for housing or industrial use, new areas will be developed to replace them,” he said, Bernama reported.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Federal Government had agreed to allow the status of padi fields in the state’s urban areas to be converted for housing and industrial development.
“I have shared my views, and the Cabinet has agreed that we can slightly reduce the size of the rice bowl area.
“The state secretary is in discussions to identify new areas so that Kedah’s needs in terms of industry, housing and commerce can be met,” Anwar said.
