THE Johor Agriculture Department has implemented six programmes to increase rice production worth RM3.2 million to benefit farmers this year.

State Agriculture, Agro-Based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman Zahari Sarip said that the programmes involve lime stoning and additional input, equipment, mechanisation, infrastructure improvement, water management incentives as well as incentives for integrated control and soil management and fertilisation.

He said in 2021, average rice production in Johor was 3,683 tonnes per hectare, exceeding the national average standard which was set at 3.2 tonnes per hectare.

“Rice production during the main season of 2020/2021 was 4,746 tonnes and increased to 6,225 tonnes during the main season of 2021/2022,” he said during the state legislative assembly sitting, in Iskandar Puteri today.

Zahari (BN-Buloh Kasap) said this in response to a question from Selamat Takim (BN-Sungai Balang) who queried the state government’s plan to focus on rice production in efforts to improve food security and food stability in the state. – Bernama, December 6, 2022.