MAFS aims to transform 150,000 hectares of padi fields ‘Sekinchan-style’

PASIR PUTEH: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) aims to implement the Sekinchan-style SMART LargeScale Padi Field (SMART SBB) practice on approximately 150,000 hectares of padi planting area nationwide by 2030.

Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the targeted area constitutes one-third of Malaysia’s total estimated 600,000 hectares allocated for padi fields.

“Next month I will discuss this and other related ma ers with the Premier of Sarawak to turn Sarawak, and also Sabah, into the country’s second rice bowl.

“In Kedah, we have the Young Agricultural Development Board, while in Kelantan there is the Kemubu Agricultural Development Board. So in Sabah and Sarawak, we will have a similar body to make it Malaysia’s second rice bowl,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters a er launching the SMART SBB Ala Sekinchan Project in Bendang Tok Ajam, here yesterday.

Mohamad said RM10 million has been allocated for Sabah and Sarawak to open up more land for padi cultivation to achieve Malaysia’s goal of becoming a rice exporter by 2030.

“The introduction of the SMART SBB Ala Sekinchan project in Sabah and Sarawak would enable the states to contribute towards our rice exports.

“We need to produce a minimum of seven metric tons per hectare to approve export. Right now we are only ge ing less than five metric tons per hectare,” he said.

He indicated that achieving a minimum yield of seven metric tons per hectare would position Malaysia as a rice exporter, leveraging the available land area and the enhanced productivity a ributed to modern agricultural practices.