SHAH ALAM, Aug 18 — Padi fields that previously had low yield and were considered less productive have been revived under the Jelapang Padi Darul Ehsan (JPDE) pilot project, with yields rising from an average of 4.29 metric tonnes per hectare (MT/ha) to 7.5MT/ha per season.
Selangor Agriculture Development Corporation (PKPS) Group chief executive officer Datuk Mohamad Khairil Mohamad Razi said the project involved 242.81ha of padi land that previously only produced 2 to 4MT/ha.
He added that the pilot’s success proves deteriorated farmland can be revived with technology, mechanisation and new seeds.
“We now have the ‘ingredients’ and standard operating procedure. We know how much labour is needed, the monitoring methods, the fertiliser used, and suitable technology and machines, so we just have to use the methods already developed,” he told Media Selangor.
Khairil said the success of the pilot project means JPDE will be expanded in phases to cover 2,858ha in eight locations in Tanjong Karang and Sabak Bernam.
He added that the Selangor-developed approach has gained attention from Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who wants JPDE technologies and methods to be expanded to other rice-producing states.
“Now we have helped Pekan in Pahang, and are talking to Negeri Sembilan’s agriculture exco about a strategic partnership. God willing, we will (bring the project) to Perak soon,” he said.
He also said the 7.5MT/ha yield could greatly impact the national padi industry, including by helping reduce Malaysia’s dependence on imported rice.
According to Khairil, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFS) thinks that if the increased yield can be widely maintained, Malaysia could transition from a rice importer to a rice exporter.
He added that JPDE’s success makes it not just an initiative to increase Selangor’s padi yield, but could become a model to revive deteriorated farmland that could be used in other areas to boost national food security.
