Overview - MPC

2009
CHAPTER 5
Box 5.2: Good Agronomic Practices in Paddy Cultivation Activities
Paddy plantation contributes significantly to the agriculture sector producing 2,353
thousand metric tonnes of paddy in 2008. With an average yield of 3.6 metric tonnes
per hectare from 656,602 hectares of planted paddy area nationwide, the industry
provided employment to 296,000 farmers in the country. To further enhance the
productivity of the industry, the Government has introduced various initiatives as well
as carrying out extensive R&D activities in order to increase the national paddy yield.
However, farm productivity is dependent upon both exogenous and endogenous
factors. Exogenous such as adverse climate condition can have an adverse effect
on yield. Similarly, endogenous factors such as the inculcation of Good Agronomic
Practices (GAP) does have a positive impact on productivity. Some of the GAP which
farmers need to observe in paddy cultivation are summarised below.
Land Preparation
The paddy planting activities ideally begin just after the harvest of the previous season’s
crop. While the land is fallow, preparation for next crop takes place where the farmer
cuts the stubble and burns it together with the straw strewn on the ground to eradicate
paddy seeds dropped from the harvested crop and weedy rice seeds. Other activities
in preparing the land include three rounds of ploughing to till and aerate the soil and
to break down the soil into smaller clods. These activities are very important in land
preparation as it is the basis of establishing uniformed seedlings which would lead to
increase yield in the next season.
Good Irrigation System
Good and well managed infrastructure system has enabled every plot of paddy field to
have a consistent supply of water as it is vital to optimise the plant’s growth. In some
cases, the farmers have constructed quaternary canal within their plots to complement
the existing canals. This would allow effective and quick irrigation and drainage thus
ensuring the effective use of chemical inputs and fertilisers.
Technology Utilisation
The utilisation of farm machineries is a significant factor which contributes towards
higher yield. The use of mechanised transplanting machines had benefited the farmers
in ensuring the uniformity of planting of the paddy stalks as well as to shorten the
process of transplanting the seedlings into the field. The other activities that can be
highly mechanised include land preparation, harvesting and fertigation. The adoption
of such mechanisation programme is to minimise labour usage and increase farm
productivity.
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PRODUCTIVITY REPORT 2009