SABAK BERNAM, May 3 — Selangor needs at least RM1 billion to enhance padi productivity, said state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim.
The state government will soon engage with the Federal government to discuss funding through the Northwest Selangor Integrated Agricultural Development Area (Iada) to achieve five planting cycles every two years.
“The funding is crucial to upgrade drainage systems, build water retention ponds, and acquire 80.9 hectares of paddy fields from Tanjong Karang to Sabak Bernam.
[caption id="attachment_399638" align="alignright" width="425"]
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim speaks to the press during a farmers' appreciation event in Sungai Leman and the launching of Briar & Behn Meyer's BASE fertilizer technology at Dewan Seri Sekinchan in Sekinchan on May 3, 2025. — Picture by NUR ADIBAH AHMAD IZAM/MEDIASELANGOR[/caption]
“We are facing problems in getting water to Sabak Bernam, so we want to increase water capacity in most areas in northwest Selangor so that there is adequate water supply for five planting cycles every two years," he said.
Izham was speaking to the press during a farmers' appreciation event in Sungai Leman and the launching of Briar & Behn Meyer's BASE fertilizer technology at Dewan Seri Sekinchan today.
He pointed out the importance of the upgrades as Selangor has no new land for padi cultivation under current plans.
The councillor is also confident that all infrastructure improvements can be completed within three years if allocations are approved by the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry.
Similarly, Selangor is also fine-tuning new methods to enhance collaboration between farmers and stakeholders, including FGV Holdings Berhad, which has demonstrated large-scale padi yield improvements in the state.
"We have proposed RM100 per ton incentives for farmers achieving seven-ton yields," Izham said, noting that currently, only farmers in Sungai Leman and Sekinchan areas were capable of achieving such yields out of the state's 9,000 padi farmers.
— Bernama
