GEORGE TOWN, Oct 20 — Penang is ready  to be a pioneer for ratoon rice planting that allows a second crop without replanting.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government has submitted the propsal to the Malaysian Agriculture Research Development Institute (Mardi) to jointly explore the technology.

“Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperatives Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol has gone to the main agriculture research institute in Fujian province in China and the rice planting technology can replace the traditional method of planting once and harvesting once.

“Penang is ready to be the pioneer state to the implementation of the technology that has a modern approach that is more efficient, sustainable and high impact,” he told reporters here yesterday after officiating the Food and Agriculture Industry Carnival organised by the Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) at Padang Kota.

He said the second rice crop for ratoon rice only takes 70 days and the technology will boost rice production and farmers’ incomes, adding that if the pioneer project is carried out, rice could be harvested up to four times a year, with two rounds of planting.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said it was good that the government considered more innovative approaches for rice production as it was a staple, adding that he had submitted a request to the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry for allocation to upgrade the padi crop infrastructure and irrigation systems in Penang.

“Mardi has studied and agreed that this method can be used and Penang is offering a pilot project if it can be done in Penang, and if successful it can be expanded throughout the country.

“Mardi is also waiting for the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), a major agriculture research institution in Fujian province to work together and plant ratoon rice in Mardi areas in Pinang Tunggal for the next padi season next month,” he added. — Bernama 

 Malay Mail – Malaysia