BUKIT MERTAJAM: The government will identify padi variants which can withstand weather changes in the future to ensure the industry is not affected whenever a monsoon occurs.
Malaysia is currently facing the southwest monsoon until September, which may cause lower rainfall in most parts of the country.
Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee said weather changes were among the factors faced by the country's padi and rice industry.
"Padi planting is influenced by the weather, whether flood or drought. As such, the ministry has existing measures and improvements to reduce the influence of weather on local farmers and the industry.
"We have several forms of funding to help locals farmers who suffer huge losses due to the weather changes.
"Moving forward, we will identify padi varieties which are more resistant against weather changes," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the launch of the Large-Scale Smart Padi Field (SMART SBB) and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the government and five leading companies in Penang.
He was asked if the SMART SBB programme would be able to address effects of the weather changes on the industry.
Elaborating, Ronald said studies and improvements had been undertaken by the government since the start of the industry until now.
It was reported that the southwest monsoon may cause lower rainfall in most parts of the country. The phenomenon is however unlikely to trigger drought or a heat wave.
The country would still experience rain occasionally during this period, which reduced the chance of any heat waves.
Areas usually prone to heat spells include Perlis, Kedah, Seberang Prai, northern Perak and the inland areas of Pahang and Kelantan in the peninsula.
Earlier, Ronald said another five leading companies have signed an MoU to participate in the SMART SBB programme, bringing the total number of leading companies involved in the programme to 28.
Altogether, it involves more than 10,000 hectares of land with the participation of over 4,000 farmers.
The target is to implement the SMART SBB in an area spanning 150,000 hectares nationwide.
"Farmers, participating in the programme, have of course reaped benefits. We will continue to monitor and guide them to optimise their production and increase the rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) to a level set by the ministry.
"With SMART SBB, we are confident that the rice SSL will be increased and production will be optimised through efficient management," he said, adding that at the same time, the SMART SBB programme would reduce the influence of middlemen in the country's rice industry.
