THE government will ensure that the well-being of padi farmers is protected by increasing their income, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

He said several pilot projects to cultivate a five-season crop in two years had been undertaken to boost padi yield, including those by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) and the Kedah Zakat Board.

Anwar said RM3 billion was needed to upgrade infrastructure in padi planting areas to enable the implementation of the projects.

He urged farmers to give their cooperation to make a success of the programme to boost padi output and increase their income.

“The administration wants to ensure high income for padi farmers – increased from RM1,200 to RM1,800 a month,” he said.

The prime minister said this when speaking at the Kedah-level “Sentuhan Madani” programme with farmers, breeders, fishermen, rubber tappers and smallholders at the Mada headquarters in Alor Star, today.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

Anwar said among the infrastructure upgrades needed are irrigation systems and roads.

He said local padi output was crucial to ensure self-sufficiency in food production, as stated in the National Agrofood Policy.

“The country cannot import fully. If anything happens, we must have the capacity described as self-sufficiency, from 50% to the target of 65%,” Anwar said. – Bernama, July 15, 2023.