Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar is to launch, by February at the latest, the 'Two-Year Five-Season Rice Planting' plan announced in the 2025 Budget for implementation in Kedah.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu pointed out that the launch, expected this month or next, is one of the government's ongoing measures to increase national rice production.
“We are attempting to implement the two-year five-season (rice planting plan) early this year, and the Prime Minister will launch it in Kedah in January or February.”
He said this to the media after visiting the Ehsan Tani Satellite Farm in Sungai Kelambu today.
When presenting the budget last year, Anwar announced the implementation of the two-year five-season rice planting plan in the first phase area under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA), involving RM1 billion and 11,000 hectares.
The plan is expected to increase rice production by 15% and boost the income of 6,100 rice farmers by 43%.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Sabu said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry has held in-depth discussions with the industry to find the best methods to increase national rice production.
He noted that his department, along with the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC), is also studying the current situation of local white rice in the market.
He said the government periodically reviews the minimum purchase price of local white rice, currently set at RM1,300 per ton.
Earlier, Mohamad Sabu mentioned that 20 locals participated in the Ehsan Tani Satellite Farm program, covering 4.04 hectares, with a funding allocation of RM3 million. Each farmer is expected to earn more than RM3,000 monthly.
He noted that the plan, initiated last August, uses a more efficient and competitive irrigation system, having harvested over 50 tons of chili as of yesterday.
Regarding the control of imported chili, Mohamad Sabu said that officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry discussed this issue last week. The government will take steps to prevent chili dumping in the market.