Download PDF - ETP - Pemandu

EPP 10
Strengthening Productivity
of Paddy Farming in MADA
With national paddy productivity increasing at 1.73 per cent since
2005, a game-changing measure needs to be made to increase
local rice production towards establishing long-term food security
for Malaysia. This EPP aims to use the estate farming approach
under a single management in the Muda granary area spanning
Kedah and Perlis, which in turn should increase productivity from
the current 4.71 metric tonne per hectare (MT/ha) to 8.0 MT/ha
by 2020. This will be achieved by amalgamating 50,000 hectares of
paddy fields by 2020. For 2011, the Muda Agricultural Development
Authority (MADA) was expected to amalgamate 5,000 hectares of
land and obtain approvals of approximately 2,500 farmers to lease
their land for management under MADA.
Achievements
Preliminary work to kick-off this EPP included 50 briefings
conducted by MADA to almost 4,224 farmers in the Muda
area between December 2010 and July 2011. This project was
eventually launched on 13 September 2011 by the MoA. MADA
amalgamated 5,000 hectares of land involving 2,982 farmers
from 27 Farmer’s Organization (Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan).
An organisational structure was created with involvement from
the Farmer’s Organization, to conduct operations according
to the planting and harvesting schedule set by MADA, which
allows optimal use of mechanisation in paddy farming. Planting
commenced in October 2011 and its preliminary harvest in
January 2012 is expected to yield between six to eight MT.
EPP 11
The project is slated to commence in 2012 as an expansion of EPP
10’s success. The estate-farming model used in the Muda area
will be replicated in other granaries under this project. The aim is
to increase paddy productivity in other areas, thereby boosting
Malaysia’s self-sufficiency in rice to 85 per cent.
Achievements
Strengthening Productivity
of Paddy Farming in Other Granaries
A pilot project was planned in Batang Lupar, Sarawak to increase
the yield and introduce modern paddy farming in the area.
The project was started on 50 hectares of traditional paddy
fields in Block C, Bijat-Stumbin. Padiberas Nasional Berhad
(BERNAS), Ministry of Modernization Agriculture Sarawak and
the Department of Agriculture Sarawak held numerous briefings
with the long house communities in the area since April 2011 to
obtain the people’s approval for the amalgamation of paddy fields
Moving Forward
MADA is undertaking the upgrading and construction of a
tertiary system in the irrigation infrastructure for a more efficient
water management in the Muda area. This infrastructure will be
carried out in phases, from 2012 up to 2020. Depending on the
success of the project this year, another 5,000 hectares have been
targeted for further amalgamation in 2012. MADA is collaborating
with BERNAS, an organisation responsible for the domestic rice
industry in Malaysia, to form a special-purpose vehicle which will
manage the paddy farming operations in the Muda granary.
Ploughing activities by Bridge (Wilayah II)
NKEA: Agriculture EPP 9 – EPP 11
under BERNAS’ management. Responses by the Sarawak locals
were favourable, with full support garnered from the farmers
to participate in the project. The result was a contiguous block
of 77.73 hectares of fields amalgamated with the participation
of 144 families from 11 long houses. Modern paddy planting
commenced in September 2011 at Batang Lupar, Sarawak with
direct participation from the farmers.
In April 2011, the Department of Agriculture Sarawak proposed to
transform Bario, Sarawak, from its traditional subsistence farming
model to a commercial-scale estate farm. With Bario Ceria Sdn
Bhd as the anchor company, 30 hectares of virgin paddy fields
have been mechanised and operated on using the estate-farming
model in September 2011. The yield per hectare previously stood
between 0.8 to 1 MT/ha. The farmers are currently harvesting
approximately 2.5 MT/ha.
(more on next page)
193