Despite its minor role in the national economy, rice production is and will continue to be, one of the most important agricultural activities in Malaysia.
Hence rice sector has been accorded special treatment by the Malaysian government.
Malaysian government has set a rice self-sufficiency level of 70% with the shortfall being met through imports.
Given Malaysia’s shortage of arable land, output is being increased through raising yields.
Various tools are being deployed to increase food, and specially rice, production, from the low to the high tech.
The widespread transformation of the rice cultivation technique from manual transplanting to direct seeding in the 1980s has resulted in extensive changes in the traditional rice habitat.
There are agencies primary responsible for irrigation engineering and water management. but they also provide agricultural extension, social services and other aspects of farmers’ development as well.
Examples are the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) and the Kelantan Agricultural Development Authority (KADA, which have jurisdiction over the two biggest rice granaries in northwestern and northeastern of Peninsular Malaysia respectively.
Land utilization for rice production is currently at 674,928 hectares which is 76 % in Peninsular Malaysia while Sarawak and Sabah accounted for 18 % and 6% percent of the total hectare respectively.
Rice in Malaysia
