RICE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA - AN ANALYSIS (PART 4)

RICE (Oryza sativa) is an important staple food for nearly half the world’s population. In Malaysia, rice and paddy cultivation kickstarted in the early 60s with small-scale farming in which later expanded by leaps and bounds before emerging as the country’s utmost important food crop. Over the decades, Malaysian rice production system has been suffering from various challenges which include extreme weather conditions, poor soil fertility and nutrient management, farmers’ lack of awareness and knowledge, hesitancy against genetically-modified crop (GMO) planting materials and poor deployment of technology. The national rice production and consumption, simply measured as self-sufficiency status staggers in between 67 and 70%. The Southeast Asia region has been an important rice export trader with Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, among the biggest rice-producing nations. Food security, under the context of sustaining international rice trading ties, succumbs to functional fluctuations of global supply chains. During the COVID-19 pandemic reported that the containment period during the outbreak led to significant disruptions to the food production chain. During the early phase of the pandemic, Malaysia experienced a volatile rice import trend, facing difficulty to secure a committed rice trading partner. In this review, we discuss the trajectory of the rice and paddy industry in Malaysia since its inception, lab-to-field translated breeding strategies adopted for rice yield for more variety improvement, governmental participation and their contribution (approaches, policies and programs) and many technologies in use for rice production. Further, relevant cutting-edge technologies, agricultural methods and practices catered for modern Malaysian rice farming, with opportunities to improve and enhance crop health and resilience are included. The review findings inform new rice agricultural practices, suggest research directions toward sustainable rice farming and provide a comprehensive knowledge base to accelerate innovation, technology diffusion and technology adoption for a resilient rice production system in Malaysia.  I published more than 100 article on rice industry in my blog for the past 15 years. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I want to discuss about an analysis of rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings.

The most planted paddy variety grown by farmers depend on many factors and variety duration sustainability. reported during early years of paddy commercialization ini Malaysia the early variety such as Malinja, Mahsuri and Bahagia were at time released by DOA before the establishment of MARDI were bred under the International Rice Commission program that time. Selection of genotypes was done in farmers’ field and progressed further at the Rice Research Centre in Cuttack in India respectively in which the crossing and breeding of the F1 generation. The phenotypic evaluation of the F2 - F7 generations was conducted in Malaysia before the varieties were released. Since transplanting and harvesting were done manually, these varieties were tall (ease the shattering process) and showed a total of 140 average days to reach maturity. Today problem such as lodging was a serious concern among the local farmers. MARDI embarked on some breeding for shorter varieties with an average culm height of 100 -115 cm. Besides lodging reported that a host of plant diseases started cropping up such as with blast, bacterial leaf blight, tungro and brown planthopper, to name a few. In 1979, the most preferred rice varieties, both Malinja and Mahsuri severely succumbed to panicle blast. In response to the undesirable yield lost, MARDI released the first blast resistant variety (Sekencang or MR7) against P. oryzae. Later on various other blast resistant varieties emerged as preferred planting materials among the local farmers namely, MR 232, MR 253 and MR 263. These varieties were superior than the previously released varieties and were high yielding too. From 1990 to 2006, the focus of research and development activities shifted into selecting semi dwarf plants with an average culm height of 60 - 90 cm. The ultimate goal was to limit lodging with shorter plants. Reported that variety MR84 and MR219 with satisfying plant height and yield potential of 6 - 8 t/ha were released as very popular variety grown in Malaysia. For the record as long as from 1984 till 2002 in which about 97% of rice granaries in Malaysia were planted with MR84. After which paddy variety known as MR84 was displaced by MR219 which then gained preference as popular planting variety among local farmers, and it was reigning for over last 20 years. Over time reported that rice breeding strategies gained significant momentum as evident through manipulation of various traits of interest: erect leaves, erect tillers, low tillering capacity, high germination rate, shorter plant height, better rooting structure and panicle-weight type rather than panicle-number type. Among the white rice varieties, the following were successfully bred as part of the high yielding rice production system such as MR253, MR263, MR269, MR284, MR303. Few of these varieties were able to grow on marginal land, and conferred foliar and panicle blast resistant.

Later in 1999 an aromatic rice MRQ50 was released to expand the rice niche market which was dominated by white rice. Progressing down the road, Mas Wangi (MRQ74) in which it resembled premium rice known as Basmathi ant itwas released thereafter. Comparatively variety known as Mas Wangi displayed a much lower glycemic index and high GABA content than MRQ50. On the other hand MRQ76 (released in 2012) was akin to Jasmine rice. The pioneering glutinous rice varieties were Masria and Pulut Malaysia1 which were released in the 1970s whereas PH9 released in 1990 remained as the only black glutinous rice released in Malaysia. For me during that period knows that while most varieties focused on disease resistance and high yielding, two Clearfield rice varieties namely MR220CL1 and MR220CL2 were released in 2010 to address weedy rice introgression. Clearfield rice varieties were tolerant to the toxic herbicide (imidazolinone) and displayed high yield at 6–9.5 ton/ha. Next, to address the issue of water shortage, an aerobic rice variety, MRIA1 that consume 50% less water was released. While all the rice varieties released by MARDI were pure inbred lines that were initially crossed with two or more different varieties followed by selection of self-pollinating generations till uniform population plants are produced, hybrid rice is basically the F1 progeny. The first 100% local hybrid rice Kadaria 1 developed based on cytoplasmic male sterility was the result of 7–8 years of intensive research and 21 seasons of multi-location trials. F1 progenies display heterosis or hybrid vigor whereby a cross of two very genetically distant parents will produce offsprings that are far superior especially in yield. Reported in which during trials this hybrid rice was capable of producing 15 - 20% more rice in moderately fertile granaries. In a pioneering trial at KADA, Kadaria (MR27) are managed to double the production, from 4 ton/ha to 8 ton/ha. It was predicted that this hybrid rice could yield up to 10 ton/ha in BLS granary.

While MARDI was mandated to lead the national rice breeding R&D, a couple of public universities joined the initiative to secure food security through the generous funding support offered by MOSTI and MOHE. Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) through funding from LRGS for Food Security released 2 rice varieties, namely PadiU Putra 1 and PadiU Putra 2 in 2017. The former is resistant to blast disease and has a yield potential of 12 mtn/ha. It is the product of marker-assisted backcross breeding whereby broad-spectrum blast resistance genes (Piz, Pi2 and Pi9) were introgressed from local resistant rice variety (Pongsu Seribu 1) into high-yielding but highly blast-susceptible (MR219). The rice cultivar MR219 was used as the recurrent parent, and Pongsu Seribu 1 was used as the donor. As for PadiU Putra 2, a submergence-tolerant rice variety which could withstand flood, it was developed through marker-assisted backcrossing method. MR219 was used as the recurrent parent while Swarna-Sub1 which possessed the trait for submergence tolerance was the donor; Sub1 gene is the gene for submergence tolerance. This article has eight (8) segments for discussion on rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings. Thanks. Source: NSTP, blog Anim Agro Technology and frontliners.com respectively.

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(November 2023).

Updated by November 2025.

RICE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA - AN ANALYSIS (PART 3)

RICE (Oryza sativa) is an important staple food for nearly half the world’s population. In Malaysia, rice and paddy cultivation kickstarted in the early 60s with small-scale farming in which later expanded by leaps and bounds before emerging as the country’s utmost important food crop. Over the decades, Malaysian rice production system has been suffering from various challenges which include extreme weather conditions, poor soil fertility and nutrient management, farmers’ lack of awareness and knowledge, hesitancy against genetically modified planting materials and poor deployment of technology. The national rice production and consumption, simply measured as self-sufficiency status staggers in between 67 and 70%. The Southeast Asia region has been an important rice export trader with Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, among the biggest rice-producing nations. Food security, under the context of sustaining international rice trading ties, succumbs to functional fluctuations of global supply chains. During the COVID-19 pandemic reported that the containment period during the outbreak led to significant disruptions to the food production chain. During the early phase of the pandemic, Malaysia experienced a volatile rice import trend, facing difficulty to secure a committed rice trading partner. In this review, we discuss the trajectory of the rice and paddy industry in Malaysia since its inception, lab-to-field translated breeding strategies adopted for improvement rice yield production, governmental participation and contribution (approaches, policies and programs) and technologies in use for rice production. Anyhow the relevant such as cutting-edge technologies, agricultural methods and practices catered for modern Malaysian rice farming, with opportunities to improve and enhance crop health and resilience are included. The review findings inform new rice agricultural practices, suggest research directions toward sustainable rice farming and provide a comprehensive knowledge base to accelerate innovation, technology diffusion and technology adoption for a resilient rice production system in Malaysia. I published more than 100 article on rice industry in my blog for the past 15 years. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I want to discuss about an analysis of rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings.

The rice industry in Malaysia and rice farming in Malaysia designed for their incentives, subsidies and pricing or market interventions for many years by government. at that time in which BERNAS acts as the buyer of last resort by procuring paddy from farmers at a GMP of RM1200/tonne. Farmers receive a subsidy of RM248.10 for every tonne of paddy that is harvested (unhusked rice grain), in addition to another RM650 per metric tonne, granted as a revenue incentive with at least a 1 % yield increase from the base season. Later for the input subsidies local farmers get RM200/hectare for their pesticide purchases through Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) to implement. Also, most farmers also receive 240 kg/ha of so-called compound fertilizer and 80 kg/ha of urea fertilizer per hectare and 100 kg/ha of organic fertilizer for cultivated rice (See photo above). Apart from those incentives such as the ploughing aid is paid at the rate of RM240/ ha. These aids are a huge relief for the farmers as the average cost of production is about RM3024/hectare. The calculated for the cost of padi production (COP) covers land rent, machinery, input cost and labour. MOA reported that in 2019 the total cost of land rental and machinery is more than 30% of the total input cost which significantly affects the COP in each granary. These two variables have continuously shown increments over the years. Then in 2020 later the National Farmers Organisation (NAFAS) was appointed as the sole distributor for the Certified Paddy Seed Incentive to ensure farmers are not short-changed by the nine seed suppliers in the country. The ceiling price was set at RM35 per 20 kg of rice seeds to overcome price manipulation. Additionally, to cater for low-income households, the maximum retail prices of 15, 10 and 5% of broken rice were capped at RM1.80, RM2.40 and RM2.60 per kilogram and this issue appeared recently in 2023 with not enough supply of paddy seeds. There are rumors that few paddy seed farmers or growers sell their seeds to rice mill claimed as imported rice with more expensive the local paddy and due to pest and diseases occurred.

Research activity for rice industry in Malaysia ha a long story.

Before the 1960s most paddy farming was relatively traditional as the operation was heavily reliant on human labour and the use of buffaloes for ploughing. The large-scale rice cultivation in Malaysia with the first double-cropping variety known as Padi Malinja was released in 1964 which replaced single-cropping rice varieties such as Nachin 5,057 and Serendah Kuning. The traditional rice varieties were low yielding (1.4 mt/ha) and hence necessitated a shift to double cropping varieties with improved yield. Development and breeding of rice varieties formally began in the 1970s with the activity of establishment of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). Nevertheless, the national rice breeding programs under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture had released four rice varieties before the transfer of mandate such as variety Malinja, Mahsuri, Ria and Bahagia. The average yield of these varieties was 2.47 t/ha, double the yield of traditional varieties. Malinja and Mahsuri were part of the largest japonica-indica rice hybridization project that aimed to enhance the yield component and fertilizer response in indica varieties via the integration of japonica’s inherent adaptive traits to local cultural conditions, diseases, and insects. Please read my article on most paddy varieties introduced and grown in Malaysia as linked (Click here) and (Click here). The longest paddy variety groen in Malaysia are known as MR219, MR220 and MR27.

In history reported that in 1950s most Asia country was on the brink of famine and in response to global food security later International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) actively embarked on a mission to develop high-yielding rice varieties (HYVs) in the 1960s. Various crosses between tall and dwarf rice planting materials were accomplished. Amongst which was the dwarf x tall variety cross between Dee-geo-woo-gen (dwarf variety from Taiwan) and Peta (tall variety from Indonesia). The discovery of a single recessive gene for shortness (sd-1) in the segregating F2 population led to the development of IR8-288-3 rice variety, after successful multi-location trials in the country such as the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. The IR8 rice variety officially released in 1966 was touted as miracle rice as it kick-started Green Revolution in rice. Before the release of IR8 reported that it was Dr. De Datta as an agronomist expert from India who chanced upon the possibility of maximizing yield by examining the fertilizer response of IR8 under dry season. The average rice yield came up to about 9.4 - 10.5 mtn/ha in which was 50% more than untreated IR8. Dr. Datta’s findings paved the route and laid a significant foundation for IR8 utilization as a prototype in the development of unique national rice varieties in Malaysia, Myanmar, Mexico, Indonesia and many other countries alike. In Malaysia, the Ria rice variety that was released by DOA in 1966 was based on IR8 which underwent massive rebranding. Later in Malaysia, rice cultivation with IR8 did not sustain long. Farmers refused and rejected to pursue IR8 as the major planting material in their fields due to its poor adaptability and rice quality. Though anticipated to bring sheer joy, the IR8 cultivation turned into unprecedented shocks. As a result, farmers switched back to the use of old varieties (Mahsuri) that offered the promised rice quality and profitable cost of production. Among other reasons that led to IR8 planting hesitancy among local farmers in Malaysia were high seed and labour costs, poor taste and low rice quality. These factors collectively affected the selling price apart other additional requirements such as precise field conditions as opposed to the existing natural conditions. Then came another HYV known as IR5 (Bahagia) which had a similar yield to IR8 but exhibited better taste, was long-grained, required less seed and labour inputs, was easier to harvest and thresh and most importantly could be grown on existing field conditions. The drawing board of breeders began scouting for locally adaptive parent planting materials for the development of HYV with better grain quality; Setanjung, Sekencang and Sekembang. This article has eight (8) segments for discussion on rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings. Thanks. Source: NSTP, Anim Agro Technology and frontliners.com respectively.

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(November 2023).

Updated this article in Nov 2025.

RICE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA - AN ANALYSIS (PART 2)

 RICE (Oryza sativa) is an important staple food for nearly half the world’s population. In Malaysia, rice and paddy cultivation kickstarted in the early 60s with small-scale farming in which later expanded by leaps and bounds before emerging as the country’s utmost important food crop. Over the decades, Malaysian rice production system has been suffering from various challenges which include extreme weather conditions, poor soil fertility and nutrient management, farmers’ lack of awareness and knowledge, hesitancy against genetically-modified planting materials and poor deployment of paddy technology. The national rice production and consumption, simply measured as self-sufficiency status staggers in between 67 and 70%. The Southeast Asia region has been an important rice export trader with Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, among the biggest rice-producing nations. Food security, under the context of sustaining international rice trading ties, succumbs to functional fluctuations of global supply chains. later during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the containment period during the outbreak led to significant disruptions to the food production chain. During the early phase of the pandemic, Malaysia experienced a volatile rice import trend, facing difficulty to secure a committed rice trading partner. In this review, we discuss the trajectory of the rice and paddy industry in Malaysia since its inception, lab-to-field translated breeding strategies adopted for rice yield improvement, governmental participation and contribution (approaches, policies and programs) and technologies in use for rice production. Further, relevant cutting-edge technologies, agricultural methods and practices catered for modern Malaysian rice farming, with opportunities to improve and enhance crop health and resilience are included. The review findings inform new rice agricultural practices, suggest research directions toward sustainable rice farming and provide a comprehensive knowledge base to accelerate innovation, technology diffusion and technology adoption for a resilient rice production system in Malaysia.  I published more than 100 article on rice industry in my blog for the past 15 years. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I want to discuss about an analysis of rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings.

Reported in Malaysia for the year in 2019 paddy and rice production as many as at 2.9 million mt (total for paddy yield) and 1.88 million mt (as processed rice) respectively while the self-sufficiency level (SSL) was reported at 72.85%. According to the Ministry of Agriculture Malaysia reported that Malaysians consumed about 80 kg of rice per person in which equivalent to 26% of the total calorie intake per day. This was an average in which each household need to spend RM44/month (USD9.93) on rice at that time but almost doubled in 2023 recently du to high price. Reported by a KRI consultant in which both Sabah (RM73/USD16.50) and Perlis (RM13/ USD2.93) are ranked as states that spend the most and least on rice consumption in that time.  The ministry strategies in Dasar Agro Makanan Negara (DAN) had mention about how to improve the paddy industry respectively. reported that the national SSL has now dipped slightly to 69% due to the looming pandemic which resulted in food supply chain disruption and an increase of consumption of staple food. On other factor the population has increased to more than 32 million (this may include millions of foreigners as industrial workers) in which the rice production areas have remained relatively constant since the 1990s. No new paddy growing additional area to grow paddy, but more paddy area has changed to urbanization and change to other commodities mostly to oil palm and short-term crops. Please link to my article how the issue of paddy area converted to oil palam in Malaysia (Click Here). Ministry responsible such as MOA check the SSL of neighboring countries within the Southeast Asia region that reported are significantly greater such as in Indonesia (SSL about 97%), The Philippines (SSL about 93%) and in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia reported they have surplus production (SSL more than 200%) in 2019. Although rice production shows an annual growth of 1.6% in which the small growth rate does not sufficiently meet the consumption need of the population. The national average rice yield hovers at 4.2 ton/ha while high-performing granaries such as IADA Barat Laut Selangor, IADA Pulau Pinang, IADA Ketara and MADA yield above 5.0 ton/ha, low-productivity granaries such as Kemasin, IADA Pekan and Rompin yield below 3.0 ton/ha (Ministry of Agriculture, 2016). Kedah is the rice bowl of Malaysia as MADA contributes to half of the total paddy production of the nation. Sekinchan paddy farmers in Selangor reported produce more than 10 mt/hectare for more than 10 years ago respectively. 

It was important to lookback the rice history also as trading partners and governmental policies in Malaysia in this article. For history in which before independence (1957) the food policies in Malaysia were implemented to serve the colonial masters who focused mainly on plantation crops (that was oil palm, rubber and cacao) for export and foreign investments. There were no support programs dedicated to infrastructure development also for research and development. As the SSL of rice was below 50% at that time the tuber crop include cassava or tapioca was the main source of carbohydrates for the poor and moat rurl areas. later during post-independence in which the new agency known as Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) was established to lead research on agriculture which included rice and paddy. Later reported in 1971 the new other agency known National Board of Paddy and Rice (LPN) was formed to oversee the national rice supply and farmers’ welfare. The first notable milestone for the paddy industry was the construction of Muda Irrigation Project (1966 -1970) which supplied water for the rice granaries in Kedah and Perlis. Then in 1994 reported that LPN was corporatized to form another new wing known agency Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) as the nation’s single rice gatekeeper. However later the rice crisis in the 1970s set the tone for a blanket shield on rice production. After that the heavy subsidies, market control, guaranteed minimum price (GMP) for farmers, fixed retail ceiling price and import monopoly by BERNAS were triggered by this crisis but not now when it was debut in parliament for many years. Historically the monopoly by the gatekeeper suppressed open market practices. In 1988 then the World Bank raised a red flag on Malaysia’s market intervention approach which heavily caters for subsidies that burdens the economy and hence labelled the rice industry as both non-viable and reported unsustainable. The higher spending on the cost of production did not necessarily translate into higher productivity. According to other studies in which if fertilizer subsidy is removed, later the cost of production will increase but the rice productivity is projected to drop. Though many criticize these government policies from beginning BERNAS as the guardian of the country’s rice stockpile had continuously protected the national rice sector against world market price fluctuations. Further, BERNAS keeps rice imports checked while ensuring that the farmers always have a buyer even when the demand is low. BERNAS is committed at sustaining a sufficient rice stockpile for the entire nation over a course of 45 days of buffering period. If indeed the domestic production drops, MoU is in place with Thailand and Vietnam as the next layer of the insulation. This article has eight (8) segments for discussion on rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings. Source: NSTP, Anim Agro Technology and frontliners.com respectively. Thanks....

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(November 2023).

Updated November 2025.

RICE INDUSTRY IN MALAYSIA - AN ANALYSIS (PART 1)

RICE (Oryza sativa) is an important staple food for nearly half the world’s population in which in Malaysia, rice and paddy cultivation kickstarted in the early 60s with small-scale farming in which later expanded by leaps and bounds before emerging as the country’s utmost important food crop. Reported that over the decades, Malaysian rice production system has been suffering from various challenges which include extreme weather conditions, poor soil fertility and nutrient management, farmers’ lack of awareness and knowledge, hesitancy against genetically modified planting materials and poor deployment of technology. The national rice production and consumption, simply measured as self-sufficiency status staggers in between 67 and 70%. The Southeast Asia region has been an important rice export trader with Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, among the biggest rice-producing nations. Food security, under the context of sustaining international rice trading ties, succumbs to functional fluctuations of global supply chains. Again, during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the containment period during the outbreak led to significant disruptions to the food production chain. During the early phase of the pandemic, Malaysia experienced a volatile rice import trend, facing difficulty to secure a committed rice trading partner. In this review, we discuss the trajectory of the rice and paddy industry in Malaysia since its inception, lab-to-field translated breeding strategies adopted for rice yield improvement, governmental participation and contribution (approaches, policies and programs) and technologies in use for rice production. Further, relevant cutting-edge technologies, agricultural methods and practices catered for modern Malaysian rice farming, with opportunities to improve and enhance crop health and resilience are included. The review findings inform new rice agricultural practices, suggest research directions toward sustainable rice farming and provide a comprehensive knowledge base to accelerate innovation, technology diffusion and technology adoption for a resilient rice production system in Malaysia. I published more than 100 article on rice industry in my blog for the past 15 years. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I want to discuss about an analysis of rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings.

The rice industry in many countries started few hundred years ago as an important commodity. By the way I visited to International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) twice to know closer about their activities in paddy industry. According to them did report that more than a billion people around the world rely on rice cultivation for subsistence and livelihood. In developing countries, rice farming is the main source of income for about 200 million households. Feeding more than 3.5 billion people in which rice is the second most important food crop as it is relatively cheap, nutritious and fulfils the average calorie requirement of an individual. Besides that, reported that rice provides a significant portion of dietary protein for about 520 million people living in poverty in Asia. Globally, rice is grown in over 100 countries encompassing about 162.06 million hectares with an annual production of 495.78 million tonnes of milled rice (715 million tons of paddy rice). In the region of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa normally the rice is mostly grown on small farms stretching between 0.5 and 3 ha while in others such as Australia, the USA and South American countries, the farms are much larger, at about 2 to 3 thousand acres as commercial activity. It is estimated that rice production must increase by 114 million metric ton by 2035 in parallel with the expected population growth. Under this context, rice production intensification with minimal impact on natural resources and the engaging agro-systems sets a challenging call for food security). In Malaysia the Ministry of agriculture changed name recently to Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to meet the need of food for the nation.

The agronomic practice and planting technology for the rice production systems are subjected to unique ecological and climatic conditions include as a rainfed and irrigated lowlands, uplands and deep-water areas. Major rice production comes from irrigated lowland rice system which accounts for 75% of the global rice yield (about 93 million ha). On the other hand recorded that another 19% of the global rice yield is produced from 52 million ha of rainfed lowlands. Rice occupies about 46% of the total irrigated area in Asia and receiving about 40 and 30% of the world’s irrigation water and the world’s developed freshwater resources, respectively. As two-thirds of the total rice production is grown under the irrigated system in which the rice production is increasingly constrained by water supply coupled with increasing pressure over water use (global water crisis) in irrigation-supported rice production systems.  The increasingly growing shortage of water resources will throw a spanner in the work of the rice production system until and unless farmers switch to sustainable methods for and or technologies which could significantly increase the plant water use efficiency. Due to the unlimited water supply in the certain area to irrigate lowland rice systems then reported that the average productivity of these granaries are much greater (about 5.4 t/ha) than rainfed lowland rice systems which yield around 1.0 to 2.5 t/ha. As for rainfed upland rice systems reported that the average yield fetches the lowest at 1 t/ha especially on remote area. However, in certain country the terrace paddy planting on highland produces good harvest (see photo above). Please read my article on technology for terrace paddy planting system in by clicking the link (Click Here) and (Click Here) respectively. Besides biotic and abiotic factors, social constraints and the use of local varieties by farmers that fail to respond favorably to environmental cues collectively result in low yield. In recent the study about aerobic rice and upland rice are normally established by direct seeding in non-puddled and non-flooded fields. However irrigated upland rice cultivation is somewhat very limited while aerobic rice is only grown on about 80,000 hectares in China and about 250,000 hectares in Brazil. In Malaysia there are no significant report of this technology applied.

Paddy industry in developing countries such as in Malaysia and Thailand reported that the heavily regulated and incentives such as subsidized rice industry is equated to food security and political stability. In 2016 from DOSM reported that Malaysians consumed 2.7 million mt of rice of which, 67% was produced locally while the balance was imported from neighboring countries such as from Thailand (jasmine rice and premium fragrant rice), India (Basmati rice and fragrant rice), Vietnam and Pakistan. Basmati rice is the most popular premium long grain rice for Nasii Beriyani, Nasi Dagang, Nasi Lemak and few others in Malaysia. However, in the international issue of the COVID-19 pandemic later that few countries include Thailand as known the biggest rice producer in the Southeast Asian region (reported their SSL or Self-sufficiency level more that 200%) had decided to discontinue its rice export to Malaysia. This issue makes a debut in Malaysia as it affects in the quest for national-level food security reinforcement and domestic consumption. Later the government has in turn offered India as an opportunity to become Malaysia’s biggest rice partner. But in 2023 India impost an extra export tax for rice later affects local rice supply in Malaysia. Malaysia’s rice supply is in mere jeopardy until or unless the nation hits 100% SSL status years to come. States like Sarawak and Sabah has plan to open new rice growing area for this purpose but yet to prepare the best irrigation infrastructure from federal government.  Reported that rice is amongst the most thinly traded crop worldwide so that the country may not be sworn with a stable import rice supply under the umbrella of adverse environmental challenges and crises. Rice growing systems in Peninsular Malaysia are classified as high yield about almost more that 4 mt/ha and low less than 4 mt/ha respectively. The performing granaries and the yield differences among them are strongly influenced by farming practices, climate, pest and pathogen, soil native fertility and nutrient management. In Sekinchan Selangor growing paddy area reported produces the highest reported productivity more than 8 - 10 mt/ha. The rice and paddy industry in Malaysia is explored thoroughly, particularly on key aspects such as research trends and initiatives so that most farmers perception of technology adoption and governance and policy are improving. In my observation the rice productivity constraints are highlighted and discussed along with realistic improvement strategies planned.

The rice growing area in Malaysia mostly under the8 main granary area in Peninsular Malaysia.  Rice cultivation in Malaysia is the third most important crop after Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and Rubber (Hevea brazilliensis). From my own observation in which Coconut (Cocos nucifera) are the fourth important for fresh consumption and processing. Normally rice is planted twice a year (follow the cropping seasons) known as Main Season and Off-Season. The main season growing activity are in the humid weather from August to February each year with enough water supply either at granary area or non-granary area, However for Off Season the period of growing paddy normally on on-dependent system from March to July respectively. Most rice granaries are located across Peninsular Malaysia and onw in Sabah and Sarawak. The largest and oldest granary area known as Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) in Kedah followed bya Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (KADA) in Kelantan. Other granary area known as  North Terengganu Integrated Agriculture Development or IADA KETARA in Terengganu, IADA Barat Laut Selangor (PBLS) in Selangor, IADA Krian and IADA Seberang Perak in Perak. In Penang there are IADA Seberang Perai, IADA Kemasin in Kelantan, IADA Rompin in Pahang, IADA Kota Belud in Sabah and also IADA Batang Lupar in Sarawak. All the agencies are under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security control. Please refer to my article (Click here) for more information. The simplest definition of granaries are an area of rice farms with proper irrigation systems and land areas spanning more than 4,000 ha. However from my knowledge during my tenure in the Department of Agriculture Malaysia, apart from these recognized granaries, there are 74 secondary granaries and 172 minor granaries distributed sporadically in Malaysia and contribute up to 28,441 and 47,653 hectares, respectively. In the Southeast Asian region, Malaysia has the smallest total rice planting area of about 690,000 ha of which two third of the total planting area is distributed in Peninsular Malaysia and the remainder is found in Sabah and Sarawak. This article has eight (8) segments for discussion on rice industry in Malaysia related to governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience for readings. Thanks. Source: NSTP, Anim Agro Technology and frontliners.com respectively.

By,

M Anem,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(November 2023).

Updated oon Nov 2025.

'IKAN BANDARAYA' IT CLEAN OUT LOCAL ECOSYSTEM

INTERESTING to share a report regarding how the presence of ‘ikan bandaraya’ (Amazon sailfin catfish with a scientific name of Pterygoplichtys pardalis) in Malaysian rivers and lakes has proven to disrupt the local ecosystem. The nst.com reported that the alien fish can burrow into the ground or riverbanks, causing erosion as well as turning the waters murky. According to the Johor Fisheries Department, in the long haul, the erosion would get worse if the fish is dumped into the local rivers in large numbers. The department said the increase in this alien fish population has and will negatively impact the habitat of local freshwater fish in the long run. No local fish can live in polluted waters or rivers in which the alien fish undoubtedly also causes damage to gillnets and other fishing nets, hence affecting the fishermen’s catch or income. According to a fishermen from Sungai Skudai in Johor have complained to the department claiming that they have been losing catch of local fish. They claimed that they caught a lot of ikan bandaraya instead. “The species is increasing due to the declining water quality or rise in organic materials (substances) in the Skudai river. There is also no competitor fish in the contaminated aquatic system. A report from resources said that according to a research conducted by the department in 2018, some 61 per cent of the Amazon sailfin catfish were caught in Sungai Skudai, Johor Baru. This species of fish has high tolerance towards unconducive environments and adapting to different water environments. However as the Amazon sailfin catfish does not eat fish of its own kind or other fish it only feeds on organic stacks and polluted aquatic substances, including weeds in the rivers. The Amazon sailfin catfish will form its group or colony in waters that contain high organic substances because of pollution or developments in that particular area. This article in the "Anim Agriculture Technology" blog share a report by NST for all readers.

Below are some fact abaou Ikan Bandaraya according to Department of Fisheries Malaysia:

The report said that according to the department’s research, this species of fish has yet to form its colony in the Malaysian rivers. This is not a predator fish but the fish, somehow could also benefit the ecosystem as it feeds on the organic piles and other substances dumped from development sites into the rivers. The Amazon sailfin catfish was brought into the country in the 1970s for fish hobbyists. The department said in the aquarium system, the fish functioned as a “cleaner” as it cleans the base of the aquarium that has living organisms (algae) and other organic materials. When the fish grow bigger, it will be taken out of the aquarium because it has a natural habit of burrowing, thus damaging plants, decorations and causing injury to other fish species in the aquarium. Thus, it is a threat to the survival of other fish in the tank. However responding to a news report over the presence of “ikan bandaraya”, commonly referred to as janitor or municipal fish, in Johor rivers published by a Malay daily last month, the department has stressed that fish hobbyists should not dump the fish in local lakes or rivers when it has outlived its usefulness or is too big for the aquarium. The department said this was to avoid massive disruption to the biodiversity of the local waters in the long run. It also called on the public to seek advice from the department if there is a need to release the fish into the river. 

Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Sgronomist Expert

Melaka,

Malaysia.

(September 2024).

Updated article on November 2025.

PORANG AGROFORESTRY - A MODEL

AGROFORESTRY TO GROW PORANG ia a model implemented in Indonesia for commercialization. Porang is a bulbous plant that can grow in shaded trees at intensity between 40 - 75%. Introduction of Porang under forest    stands began in the 1980s in Klangon, RPH Saradan and later spread in East Java. Porang produces mannan flour or Konnyaku flour which in Japan is processed into various functional food ingredients (Konnyaku, 2015) for the use of prevention or treatment of diabetes and is good for digestion. Porang habitat in Malang, Jawa, Indosesia for instance, is located in the shade of surrounding vegetation. Many wild-growing Porang is found under bamboo stands, while Porang that is cultivated is widely grown under Teak plants but nowadays in which Japan is a major producer of Konnyaku flour from the Amorpophallus konjac species. This type is actually cultivated without needing shade (See photo above). Porang is able to grow well in various types of shading and according to Japanese Ministry of Finance’s statistic the production of Porang tubers in the past five years always above 60,000 tons per year, except for 2013 due to climate change factors, and despite a fluctuating trend there was more than 70,000 tons in 2015. Japan also imports Konyaku flour from various countries in Southeast Asia, such as Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Indonesia. There is a tendency for Konnyaku flour imports from Indonesia to increase in the past seven years and even in 2014 defeated Myanmar, Laos, nd China. This is an opportunity for Indonesian government to increase exporting of Konnyaku flour by expanding adoption and diffusion of Porang tubers under forest stands. Thin blog ''Anim Agriculture Technology'' write about the agroforestry far porang growing as a model.

Several studies have shown contribution of Porang tubers increasing income of forest farming families. Currently, price of Porang tubers is around Rp 4,500/kg of wet tubers or Rp 31,000/kg dried tubers. In one hectare, 5 - 6 tons of wet tubers may be obtained, so that the potential gross income from its tubers planted within one-hectare forest stands may reach Rp 25 - 35 million/year. This amount is helpful to increase income of forest farmer families. This contribution should be doubled by improving intensive cultivation in terms of spacing and fertilization. Agroforestry is a system of land use (farming) that combines trees with agricultural crops to increase profits, both economically and environmentally. Its scheme is one of an effective methods of land management for equity and stages to overcome poverty in village forest community by contributing to household income 41.32 percent and employment of 2.39 people per ha.  Several benefits of applying its method, such as (1) increasing food production, farmer income, employment opportunities and increasing the quality of community nutrition so as to achieve farmers’ welfare around forests; (2) increasing knowledge and skills of farmers to develop an agricultural intensification system in dry soils in the countryside which means increased productivity of dry agricultural land (moor), and (3) increasing public awareness of forest functions that are expected to reduce pressure against forest disturbances.

Porang growing activities in three year activities program included institutional workshops and introduction of Porang cultivation, procurement of Porang seeds, development of demonstration plot, and facilitation on planting Porang under stands have been done. These activities increase basic work in environmental knowledge and skills of farmers in the model of agroforestry. Porang cultivation in selected area by farmer group institution for continution for thr next two year-program of Agroforestry Porang in managing post-harvest to increase farmers' income from porang production. Based on studies done and farmers experience in community service program in Banyusoco village, Gunung Kidul, goverment suggest to be considered in developing PLDT are as follows. First, the need for socialization and discussion that provides an overview of where program will be directed. Visualization of final goal of program may use documentary films or images of actual conditions desired in the future or empirically practiced. Second, need to strengthen institutions by making clear rules of the game about what to do, who will do what, who will give what and what to get. Third, the need for assistance in every activity in the field so that there is appropriate technology transfer and communication between members and administrators. Explanation and giving direct examples in the field of the cultivation techniques carried out may increase their confidence in what they are doing. Thanks...

By,

M Anim,

Putrajaya,

Malaysia.

(January 2021).

Updated on 26 October 2025.

Wellcome All Leader to 47th ASEAN Summit at Kuala Lumpur.

PAPAYA LEAVES AND DENGUE ISSUE

REPORTED THAT PAPAYA LEAVES (Carica papaya) able ti improve platelet counts in dengue patient, and are unlikely to cause liver, kidney or heart failure says the Malaysian Health Ministry. In a statement that the Health Ministry said from the research activity revealed that after taking the papaya leaf juice there are an increase in platelet counts for normal dengue and hemorrhagic dengue class 1 patients had been recorded. Reported that clinical trials by the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) on use of papaya leaf in dengue patients (both normal dengue and hemorrhagic dengue show that by taking a dosage of 30ml(two tablespoons) of juice from mature papaya leaves every day, platelet counts increase after three days.The platelet increase is just one of the processes that happens in a patient that affected by dengue. Research is still ongoing on the use of papaya leaf juice for dengue. The health ministry does not provide papaya leaf juice at any of its hospitals. The statement from the health ministry comes in the wake of claims by individuals highlighted in the media, claiming that the juice of papaya leaves was dangerous for consumption. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I share an information about papaya leaves and dengue issue form few resources including NST portal.

Papaya leaves do improve platelet counts in dengue patient, and are unlikely to cause liver, kidney or heart failure says the Health Ministry. Reported a few days ago, there was a news or statement from certain parties stating that the leaves of papaya leaves contain a dangerous chemical known as cyanogenic glycoside which could cause liver, kidney or heart failure and ultimately death. Cyanogenic glycoside or 'bad sugar' is contained in 2000 species of plants, including food items such as tapioca, almonds, seeds, cinnamon, bamboo shoots, fruits that have kernels such as apricots, peaches, plums and cherries and other. The statement went on to clarify that while the leaf did contain the chemical in small dosages (0.02 mg in every four leaves), a 60kg person would need to consume 12,000 papaya leaves at one time to cause any acute poisoning. The statement went on to say that during safety tests conducted by IMR on lab animals, it was revealed that even with a dosage of 2000mg per kg of body weight, no side effects were seen on the kidneys, liver and heart.

 

A report titled "Alternative herbal drink introduced to combat dengue fever" related to this topic. An alternative herbal drink to fight the dengue fever has been introduced. This repored stated that thanks to Al Faris Herbs, the 'Sari Daun Betik' is rich in Vitamin C and minerals, made with papaya leaf extract to increase blood platelets in human body. The Al Faris advisor Datuk Dr Shuib Saedin, who is also a medical practitioner, said the drink helps to increase low level of platelets in human body. The papaya leaf juice is probably the most well-known alternative treatment for dengue.  However, it is bitter to consume, especially for children.  They claimed that they carried out scientific studies in the past few months and produced this herbal remedy which consists of dates, honey and other vitamins combined with the papaya leaf extract to combat dengue fever/ Dr Shuib said the results cannot be said to be definitive, due to their small study size, but they are certainly promising (See photo above). The product will be available in market starting today and can be found in sundry and retail shops. It is priced at RM55 per bottle and could last more than a month. Meanwhile, the latest report from the Health Ministry states that as of May 5, the number of dengue cases has increased to 41,450 cases and 126 deaths nationwide. This information make sense in Malaysia as related information for locals. Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Senior Agronomist,

Melacca City,

Malaysia.

(30 Rejab 1446H).