Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) has announced the implementation of Large-Scale Smart Padi Field (Smart SBB) ala Sekinchan programme in Langkawi, Kedah for glutinous rice cultivation.
The Projek Padi Pulut Langkawi BERNAS ala Sekinchan, officiated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, YB Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad Sabu, aims to elevate the socio-economic status of farmers by enabling them to achieve higher income returns and bolster domestic rice production by promoting best practices in the production of glutinous rice.
Encompassing 540 hectares of paddy fields, this project aims to empower 326 paddy farmers. It is set to be developed in phases over five years, from 2024 to 2028, with the first phase commencing May 2024, covering over 14 hectares of land.
Introduced by the government in 2021, the SMART SBB initiative aims to increase the country’s self-sufficiency rate (SSR) for rice. The adoption of integrated farm management systems, mechanisation, and IoT integration, underscored by the introduction of its practices, will help local farmers in Langkawi optimise both the quality and quantity of their yield, leading to higher returns. This aligns with BERNAS’ dedication to uplifting the livelihoods of the nation’s farming community.
Implemented with the support of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, the Farmers Organization Authority Malaysia (LPP), the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), the project facilitates farmers’ participation in the programme by also providing initial financial support for paddy seed capital.