JITRA: The government is mulling exploring saltwater padi cultivation as part of the effort to increase the country's rice production.
Agriculture and Food Security minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the ministry had held preliminary discussions with relevant experts in China to learn about the saltwater padi farming technology applied in the country. "I have met with a professor from China since there is saltwater padi cultivation there. We want to find out how they manage to finally get the right seeds after four years of study.
"Based on the initial discussion, we have the option to cultivate padi fields inundated by saltwater in future by using foreign (China) technology and input," he said after attending a meeting with Kodiang Harumanis farmers in Kampung Pida 3, Kodiang, today.
Asked on the reason for the lower rice yield in Kedah compared with Sekinchan, Selangor, Mohamad said it was due to lack of irrigation infrastructure, fertilisation and good farming practices.
He said padi farmers in Sekinchan treated their padi farming as a full-time job instead of part-time."Managing padi cultivation requires a full-time job. That is why in Kedah, we want to move towards that direction.
"We hope the farmers will consider a proposal to combine the individual padi fields and turn into a large scale farming. We cannot blame the farmers too since good irrigation system is equally important. "In Sekinchan, farmers are producing between eight and 10 tonnes per hectare. If we can get six tonnes or more (in Kedah), then we have achieved a rice self sufficient level," he said.
Mohamad said rice planting through a large-scale scheme like the one in Sekinchan could be practiced by farmers in Kedah as an effort to produce a large amount of rice with the help and cooperation of the Muda Agricultural Development Board (MADA) and Padiberas Nasional Bhd (BERNAS).