Banting: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is anticipated to launch the groundbreaking initiative of five padi planting seasons in two years, as announced by Agriculture and Food Security Minister (KPKM) Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. The launch, expected by next month, aims to enhance the country's padi yield significantly.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative is part of a broader government effort to boost padi production, with plans to implement the five-season planting project this year in Kedah. Mohamad Sabu shared these details during a visit to the Ehsan Tani Satellite Farm Project in Sungai Kelambu, Banting.

During the Budget 2025 presentation in the Dewan Rakyat last October, Anwar revealed the plan would be executed in the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) area, spanning 11,000 hectares, with an almost RM1 billion allocation. The project is projected to bolster padi yield by 15 percent and elevate the incomes of 6,100 padi farmers by 43 percent.

Moreover, Mohamad noted that the ministry, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, has been engaging in intensive discussions to identify optimal strategies for increasing padi yield. A study is also underway by the ministry and the Malaysian Competition Commission (MyCC) to assess the current status and market availability of local rice.

The government is considering establishing a floor price for local rice purchases, currently set at RM1,300 per metric ton. Mohamad also highlighted that 20 local farmers are participating in the Ehsan Tani Satellite Farm Project, which involves a RM3 million allocation for chilli cultivation over 4.04 hectares.