KEDAH is one of the poorest states in Malaysia because its commitment to food security sees the state preserving forests to ensure padi fields are well irrigated, said Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir.

He said padi cultivation needed large water catchment areas, and excessive logging would affect these areas.

“Unfortunately, producing rice does not make our people rich, and the industry needs government subsidies as it is not (commercially) sustainable.   

“Yields must be increased at suitable prices so that farmers can earn an income.

“Kedah has been one of the poorest states because of our commitment to food security.

“What’s worse is that we use more water to produce rice than what is used in Thailand and Vietnam,” Mukhriz said at a forum in Sunway University today on Kedah’s economic development.

He said the state government is looking for ways to increase state revenue.

“To produce rice, we need water catchment areas, forests, lakes and dams, therefore, we can’t exploit forests.”

He said Kedah’s development focus was not on widespread logging, which is a source of easy revenue for other states.

“We have forests, but we have to use them in other ways without cutting them down. Like by developing tourism, for example.

“We also have ample water supply that is piped to two states – Perlis and Penang – for free. So, that can be another source of revenue.”

He said the development of the Kulim Hi-Tech industrial park was a catalyst for the state’s economy.

“When we opened the park, no one thought an agrarian state like Kedah could manage industries, but we proved that we could.”

He said the park has been expanded to twice its original size.

He said construction of the Kulim International Airport will help Kedah’s development, as it will be the main hub for cargo from Indochina.

Mukhriz lauded federal government efforts to help poor states to achieve the goals under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in September that there is a developmental gap between states that must be addressed.

He had said Kedah, Kelantan dan Perlis needed special attention.

The Shared Prosperity Vision is one platform through which the government will help these states, Dr Mahathir said. – January 13, 2020.