SHAH ALAM, Sept 29 — Selangor will review rice cultivation methods and related infrastructure systems to improve the productivity and quality of rice yields next year.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim said the move is necessary as rice yields remain low despite the government providing various funds, subsidies, and incentives.
“So, we will review and examine the arrangements, including the infrastructure systems. We need to spend because they have been around for decades and many are damaged.
“Drainage systems, drains, and so on. They need to be repaired so that we can adopt a better approach to managing rice cultivation,” he told Media Selangor.
During the 2027 Selangor Budget engagement session last week, Izham said the state government will conduct a land verification exercise on paddy fields in north-west Selangor to get an accurate picture of the land's status before formulating measures to improve the rice sector.
He said this is needed to identify land that is still being cultivated as paddy fields, used for other crops, or developed for different purposes.
The ‘paddy field revolution’ approach must involve comprehensive changes to the structure and implementation of the sector, taking into account short-, medium- and long-term solutions.
As such, it requires cooperation between the state and federal governments as most matters relating to the development of the rice sector fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
During the session, Izham emphasised that incentives for paddy farmers will continue to be improved through a yield-based approach to increase productivity.
This will provide rewards after yields have been determined, rather than providing assistance at the initial stage of production.
