M'sia can double padi production to 3.4 mil tonnes by 2020

by **Cals** Mon 30 Dec 2013, 15:22

M'sia can double padi production to 3.4 mil tonnes by 2020 PUTRAJAYA (Dec 30): Malaysia is capable of producing 3.4 million tonnes of padi per year by 2020 at an average yield of 10 tonnes per hectare, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Mi

Business & Markets 2013

Written by Bernama

Monday, 30 December 2013 15:17

PUTRAJAYA (Dec 30): Malaysia is capable of producing 3.4 million tonnes of padi per year by 2020 at an average yield of 10 tonnes per hectare, said Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

He said the projection was based on current production of 1.7 million tonnes per year at an average yield of 5.4 tonnes per ha.

Although padi land is limited, the production can be optimised through modern technology, and use of high quality seeds and irrigation method, he told reporters after opening the National Water Users Group Conference here today.

He said the country's padi consumption of 2.6 million tonnes per year is partially compensated by imports.

Meanwhile, the ministry's Division of Irrigation and Agricultural Drainage director Syed Abdul Hamid Syed Shuib said a Water Users Group (Wug) was set up to smoothen water supply to padi fields to facilitate double cropping.

"The ministry hopes every farmer or padi smallholder will join the Water Users Group, a mini estate or a special purpose vehicle to enable padi to be cultivated in a big way," he said.

The convention was attended by 150 national Wug committee members and 50 officers from departments and agencies involved in padi cultivation.