Kedah Government Seeks Permission to Produce Own Padi Seeds Amid Supply Shortage

The Kedah state government is facing a critical shortage of padi seeds, which has been affecting the crop yields of local farmers for years. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has appealed to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) to allow the state to produce its own padi seeds to tackle the supply shortage. This move aims to ensure that farmers have access to sufficient and high-quality seeds for their crops.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kedah state government is struggling with a long-standing padi seed shortage, which has impacted the crop yields of local farmers.
• Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has requested permission from the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) to allow the state to produce its own padi seeds.
• A community-based padi seed development programme has been proposed by Kota Siputeh assemblyman Mohd Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir, and passed by the Kedah State Legislative Assembly.
• The state government is currently carrying out a pilot project on padi seed planting, covering 20.5 hectares in Kampung Sungai Mati, Tobiar, Pendang.
• The pilot project aims to produce seeds that can help address the shortage and deliver better yields.
• Muhammad Sanusi emphasized that the pilot project is not meant to challenge the existing system, but to fill gaps and provide a solution to the shortage.

Statistics:

• 20.5 hectares of land is being used for the pilot project on padi seed planting.
• The padi seed shortage has been affecting farmers in Kedah for years, with some experiencing no supply at all, and others facing insufficient supplies.

Sources:

• "Kedah hopes for govt's permission to directly produce padi seeds". (No date mentioned, as per original article)