Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS), a prominent player in Malaysia’s rice industry, has announced the initiation of the Projek Padi Pulut Langkawi BERNAS ala Sekinchan programme in Langkawi, Kedah, as part of its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s food security. This initiative aims to promote the cultivation of glutinous rice through the Large-Scale Smart Padi Field (Smart SBB) approach.
The programme was inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad Sabu, and is designed to uplift the socio-economic status of local farmers by enabling them to achieve higher income returns.
By implementing best practices in glutinous rice production, the project also aims to bolster domestic rice production.
Covering 540 hectares of paddy fields, the initiative targets 326 paddy farmers and will be developed in phases over five years, from 2024 to 2028. The first phase, commencing in May 2024, will cover an area exceeding 14 hectares of land.
The SMART SBB initiative, introduced by the government in 2021, seeks to enhance the country’s self-sufficiency rate (SSR) for rice. The adoption of integrated farm management systems, mechanisation, and IoT integration will enable local farmers in Langkawi to optimise the quality and quantity of their yield, ultimately leading to higher returns.
The project is being implemented with the support of various government agencies and organisations including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, the Farmers Organisation Authority Malaysia (LPP), the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA). Financial support for paddy seed capital is also provided to facilitate farmers’ participation in the programme.
BERNAS remains committed to supporting the nation’s food security agenda and will collaborate closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and other stakeholders to enhance the welfare of farmers and ensure a stable and sufficient rice supply for all Malaysians.
