JERLUN: The government has approved an allocation of RM45.6mil for the development of a rice mill by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) as an initiative to help strengthen the country’s padi and rice sector.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (pic) said the mill, which will be built in Megat Dewa, near here, reflects the government’s commitment to ensure a more organised and competitive production chain.
“The new mill will ensure the collection, processing and production of rice are carried out efficiently, increasing the value of padi yields and providing greater benefits to farmers, particularly by reducing reliance on middlemen.”
Mohamad said this in his speech during the presentation ceremony for the Paddy Crop Takaful Scheme here on Saturday, reported Bernama.
Mohamad said that for 2026, Mada is targeting an average padi yield of 6.1 tonnes per hectare through the modernisation of padi field management, improvements to irrigation and drainage infrastructure, as well as the optimisation of agricultural input usage.
In line with this, the ministry is stepping up efforts to increase the country’s rice self-sufficiency rate from 52.6% nationwide and 58.3% in Peninsular Malaysia to 70% by 2030 to strengthen national food security.
“The ministry will also implement the 3M approach – build, upgrade and maintain – through the Agricultural Infra-structure Strengthening Master Plan 2026-2040, which will place special focus on the padi sub-sector to address ageing infrastructure issues while strengthening production support systems.”
This year, his ministry will focus on maintaining irrigation and drainage systems in 14 rice-bowl and 13 non-rice-bowl areas, in addition to upgrading 1,346km of agricultural roads.
