CLIMATE change is posing a threat to the production levels of Malaysia’s staple food, rice, and this is expected to have an adverse impact on the nation’s rice security.

The effects of climate change are being felt increasingly in recent years as the higher risk of occurrence of natural disasters – such as floods and prolonged dry spells, as well as the shifting rainy season and rising sea level – have influenced water availability.

According to Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries data, between 2017 and 2021, a total of 41,000ha of paddy fields nationwide were destroyed by floodwaters while another 9,340ha were damaged due to drought.

In a recent interview with Bernama, Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Ronald Kiandee said Malaysia’s food security has been affected by the increase in the average annual rainfall every decade, based on the nation’s rainfall records for 40 years, that is, between 1978 and 2017.

Meanwhile, the ministry the area suffering from reduced annual rainfall is increasing, particularly in the west coast and southern and central parts of Peninsular Malaysia, such as the Sg Pahang and Sg Kuantan basins.

Kiandee said, according to Malaysia’s third national communication and second biennial update reports, 18% of 350,000ha of paddy fields on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia have been exposed to frequent episodes of prolonged dry spells.

“Even so, the percentage of paddy fields destroyed by floods is higher. The reports also predicted that 25% of paddy cultivated by the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority will be affected by the phenomenon,” he said.

Kiandee said, based on the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s (Met Malaysia) report, Climate Change Scenarios for Malaysia 2001-2099, the frequency of hot and dry spells has increased since 2005.

There were prolonged hot and dry spells in 1982, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020. The main reason for which was the El Niño phenomenon, which hits the southeast Asian region frequently.

“A prolonged drought, together with a rise in temperature and humidity levels, can lead to a higher incidence of pest invasions and cause certain disease outbreaks, which can affect rice crops,” he said.

Farmers grappling with this situation have lost revenue, with the damaged paddy crops in Peninsular Malaysia the worst hit compared with other food crops.

Data from the agricultural disaster fund showed that rice crops suffered damages totalling RM21.6 million due to droughts and RM128.8 million due to floods between 2017 and 2021.

As for other agri-food crops such as fruits, vegetables, cash crops and high-value commodity crops, the destruction caused by floods on 2,000ha of land was estimated at RM21.4 million.

The minister said having recognised the impact of climate change on the nation’s food security, the ministry is drafting initiatives for the comprehensive transformation of the paddy and rice industry through the national food security policy action plan 2021-2025, which is aimed at boosting paddy production and farmers’ incomes.

“The plan covers research and development efforts as well to enhance food production using climate-based technology.

“This is because in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the government focuses on boosting the nation’s self-sufficiency level in rice production to 75% by 2025,” he said.

To realise this target, the ministry has embarked on various initiatives including cultivating paddy using the smart large-scale field concept; applying the site-specific nutrient management system; and utilising modern cultivation techniques such as drones for spraying pesticides, and the latest machinery for planting and harvesting purposes.

Early warning

The government has also over the years been providing annual funding to build and improve irrigation systems in paddy fields.

To this end, tube wells and dams have been built for water storage considering that paddy cultivation is largely dependent on rainfall.

Other measures to increase rice production are the implementation of the alternative wetting and drying (AWD) innovation, which is an irrigation scheduling technique to replace the continuous flooding (CF) irrigation system.

Kiandee said the ministry is also developing and utilising different seed types to withstand the effects of flooding and droughts (anaerobic and aerobic varieties), as well as introducing agricultural insurance to mitigate the risks of climate change.   

He said the ministry is also supporting the Ministry of Environment and Water’s national water balance management system programme for the effective development and management of the nation’s water resources and which is being used as a reference in paddy cultivation management.

“Through this programme, rain forecast data from Met Malaysia and data from the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia’s Climate Change Impact research have been integrated to provide information on drought forecasts and availability of water resources two months in advance.

“Warnings will be issued as early as 14 days in advance to authorities in charge of water management at state and federal levels.

“By using this system fully, authorities can make decisions about irrigating paddy fields, such as suggesting procedures like cloud seeding in catchment areas around dams if it doesn’t rain for days and the water level in a dam is decreasing,” Kiandee said. 

This way, more suitable timing for paddy cultivation can also be planned by referring to the availability of rainwater resources and volume of water in rivers and dams.

National agri-food policy

Aside from rice, the ministry is also committed to addressing food security in other agri-food sectors such as fruits and vegetables, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture through the implementation of the national agri-food policy 2021-2030 (NAP 2.0).

“The move to implement NAP 2.0 is appropriate because it ensures food security as climate change has also affected national fishery resources.

“The rise in carbon dioxide levels in the sea is making its water more acidic, which is the cause for the destruction of coral reefs that account for 25% of the nation’s marine fish supply. 

“In order to strengthen the national food security chain, NAP 2.0 will be driven by five core pillars, including increasing modernisation and smart farming, strengthening the domestic market and producing export-oriented products,” Kiandee said.

Apart from that, the government has also set up a cabinet committee to discuss the national food security policy as part of efforts to attain more holistic food security.

Concerned about the impact of climate change on farmers, the government provided RM80 million to the ministry in Budget 2021 to create the agricultural disaster fund.

The fund is aimed at easing the burden of the target groups – comprising farmers, livestock farmers, fishermen, aquaculture operators, and agri-tourism and agri-based industry operators – affected by natural disasters brought about by climate change

Kiandee said aid comes in the form of agricultural inputs, equipment, machines and other non-financial assistance to help the targeted groups to redevelop their agri-food activities.

“Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas), via its social obligation to the government, is contributing RM10 million a year to the fund throughout its concession period.

“The National Farmers Organisation (Nafas) also contributes RM2 million a year to the fund.

“Up to September 15, RM4.35 million has been channelled by the ministry to its departments and agencies to help targeted groups affected by natural disasters,” the minister added. – Bernama, October 20, 2021.