SEVERAL padi-growing areas outside the jurisdiction of the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada) are being upgraded to boost local rice production in Kelantan.

State Agriculture, Agro-based Industry, Biotechnology, Green Technology and Environment Committee chairman Tuan Mohd Saripudin Tuan Ismail said the padi-growing areas included about 121ha in Machang, which is being developed for the purpose.

“So far, there is no rice supply problem in Kelantan because we have a large area of padi fields and can meet the needs of the people in the state.

“We have about 26,000ha of padi-farming areas under Kada and are now expanding the areas by also having a two-season crop per year to meet the country’s demand for local rice,” he told Bernama after opening the Kelantan Flora Festival last night.

Sultanah of Kelantan Nur Diana Petra Abdullah graced the festival, held at Taman Perbandaran Tengku Anis in Kota Baru.

Tuan Saripudin said Kelantan’s self-sufficiency level in terms of padi production last year exceeded 200%, with a similar projection made for this year. – Bernama, October 7, 2023.