PETALING JAYA: Padi yields are expected to show positive numbers early next year, with a production rate of five tonnes per hectare despite the current El Nino heatwave, says Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh.
Ismail said Mada has taken steps to mitigate the impact of the dry season, which is expected to last until April next year.
“We have prepared mitigation methods to offset the dry weather such as good land management, water supply, soil, fertiliser and pesticide,” he said when contacted, adding that they have a benchmark system in place to quickly identify areas that are badly affected by diseases.
“We will take immediate action to eliminate the disease once it’s identified,” he said.
When asked if the price of local white rice will go up, Ismail urged the government to continue to cap the price at RM2.60 per kg for the B40 group while letting the price float for M40 and T20 groups.
