KUALA LUMPUR: Mardi Wangi 88 rice – a new type of padi variety that will be marketed in six months’ time – is expected to reduce the import of fragrant rice from neighbouring countries.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa said the country now imported 250,000 metric tonnes of rice annually from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
“Efforts will be made through the commercialisation of padi seeds cultivated on a large scale nationwide, especially within and outside the rice bowl areas.
“This rice is a premium product that will be used in the country first. Malaysia imports too much fragrant rice from neighbouring countries and with our own fragrant rice, we hope to reduce imports.”
The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) has produced five tonnes of padi per hectare but it is still at the pilot stage, he said.
Ali said Mardi Wangi 88 rice was the result of Mardi’s 45th research and the third fragrant rice variety in the production of new rice to back up the country’s fragrant rice industry.
However the price of this new fragrant rice – which was first developed in 2003 – has yet to be determined, he said, adding that the plant was more resistant to diseases and pests.
He also visited Mardi Wangi 88 padi site and was impressed with the use of technology in the padi industry – such as the use of drone in the spraying of insecticides.
“With modern technology, I hope it inspires young people to venture into agriculture, especially rice production as the results are very encouraging.”
