PM: RM5b project to transform agriculture, enhance rice production
The government is planning several mega projects in the agricultural sector, including the first phase of a large-scale paddy cultivation initiative, with a total project value of RM5 billion, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the project aims to boost paddy yields and improve the livelihoods of local farmers.
“The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is focusing on...
The government is planning several mega projects in the agricultural sector, including the first phase of a large-scale paddy cultivation initiative, with a total project value of RM5 billion, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the project aims to boost paddy yields and improve the livelihoods of local farmers.
“The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is focusing on increasing the nation’s rice production. This is crucial for enhancing the welfare of our farmers and ensuring food security,” he said in his speech at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (Maha) at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang today.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu and his deputy Arthur Joseph Kurup.
Anwar emphasised the need for all ministries and agencies to work as a cohesive team to ensure the nation’s food production targets are met.
The prime minister also acknowledged the challenge of rallying farmers, rice growers and fisherfolk to embrace these changes and adapt to the upcoming transformation in the agricultural sector.
“The key challenge is how to engage the farming communities, especially the paddy planters and fisherfolk, to embrace this transformation and significantly increase their yields,” he said.
In May, Anwar announced that the government would increase its funding to upgrade irrigation systems in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) region to implement a five-season paddy planting project within two years.
The programme’s expansion will cover an additional 30,000ha of land in Mada areas, which will be developed in stages.
Themed “Menuai Harapan Membina Masa Hadapan”, Maha2024 runs for 12 days from Sept 11 and is expected to attract three million visitors, while securing RM6 billion in memorandums of understanding and RM40 million in direct sales.
- Bernama
