KUALA LUMPUR: In addition to considering weather factors, prioritising effective soil and water management is essential to maximise the outcomes of the five-season padi cultivation project within two years, says an academic.
Prof Datuk Dr Nasir Shamsudin of the Putra Business School said this will enhance the country’s self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) in staple food production.
He said neglecting soil and water management could lead to a decrease in rice crop yields per season as the soil may not receive sufficient “rest” periods.
“The processes of soil restoration and proper water management are crucial to maintaining fertility and productivity – however, fertile soil is not the only determinant of successful five-season padi cultivation.
“It is vital to approach this innovatively.
“Those involved also must possess entrepreneurial traits,” he told Bernama.
He said they must integrate modern and digital agricultural technologies to foster more sustainable practices and effectively enhance food security.
Prof Nasir also views the government’s initiatives to boost the country’s rice yield as a positive strategy, noting that Malaysia’s rice SSR stood at only 56.2% in 2023, while the National Agrofood Policy 2.0 targets 80%.
When presenting Budget 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat last Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an allocation of nearly RM1bil to initiate the five-season padi planting project within two years.
This is part of Phase 1 under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), covering about 11,000ha.
The initiative aims to boost rice yields by 15% while increasing the income of 6,100 padi farmers by 43%.
National Fishermen’s Association chairman Abdul Hamid Bahari said the increase in subsidies for fishermen will help the fishing community cover their daily operating costs and enhance their standard of living.
“The initiative not only increases the catch, but also benefits the entire fishing industry and the local economy,” he said.
He noted that the ceiling rate for new construction or relocation assistance for fishermen’s houses has been raised to RM84,000, up from RM56,000, in the peninsula.
For Sabah and Sarawak, it is an increase from RM68,000 to RM90,000, he said, adding that the initiatives can significantly improve the quality of life for fishermen.
