KEDAH WORKING ON IDENTIFYING NEW VARIETIES OF PADI SEEDS TO MAXIMISE YIELDS

ALOR SETAR, April 22 (Bernama) — Kedah is currently in the process of identifying suitable padi seed varieties for local farmers, said State Agriculture, Plantation and Transport Committee chairman Dzowahir Ab Ghani.

He said as part of this initiative, a working visit was recently made to the Integrated Organic Agricultural Research Centre in Malang, Indonesia.

“Two varieties, HMS700 and HMS70D, have been shortlisted for further study to assess their suitability for cultivation in Kedah.

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“There is an urgent need to introduce new padi seed varieties to help maximise yields,” he said, addressing a question from Muhamad Amri Wahab (PN–Derga) at the Kedah legislative assembly today.

Muhamad Amri had asked for an update on the state government's plan to develop its own padi seeds.

Previously, Kedah announced its intention to develop its own padi seed varieties to boost production and farmers' income.

Elaborating further, Dzowahir said the state government is also working with the Malaysian Nuclear Agency and Universiti Teknologi MARA to develop new varieties from existing padi seeds. 

He added that such collaborations also involve international institutions, such as the China Agriculture Technology Institute in Chongqing, which has offered to help introduce hybrid seeds reportedly capable of producing yields of up to 19 tonnes per hectare.

“Many major rice-producing countries, including India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar, have already adopted hybrid varieties, which have been proven to significantly increase yields,” he said.

— BERNAMA