SEKINCHAN: The Selangor government is looking at expanding how padi is cultivated in Sekinchan to about 202ha in the northern part of the state to increase local rice production.
Local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said the move to bring the Sekinchan method to the padi farming areas in Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam was due to its higher yield and better quality rice.
He said he and rural development, unity and consumer committee chairman Datuk Rizam Ismail, who is Sungai Air Tawar assemblyman, had been tasked by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari with looking into expanding the rice cultivation formula in Sekinchan to other areas in Selangor.
“We will choose several locations in the northern part of the state to be used for pilot projects before expanding it to the whole state.
“We are exploring some areas here for a start. It will involve 202ha,” he told Bernama.
Ng said the success of the Sekinchan padi cultivation is not only due to the use of modern technology and an integrated drainage system but also farmers’ attitude.
Sekinchan has been recognised as the area with the highest rice yield in the country, recording six to 12 tons per hectare.
“The attitude of farmers is important in producing quality rice. They succeeded because they are disciplined farmers,” he said.
He added that the use of machines, such as the padi transplanter and drones, made the planting process easier, faster and more systematic.
“In terms of the drainage system, it is more organised here,” he said.
