SEKINCHAN, Jan 27 — The Selangor government is expanding the padi cultivation method in Sekinchan to about 202 hectares of padi fields in the northern part of the state to increase local rice production.
State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said the move to expand the Ala Sekinchan padi cultivation to the padi farming areas in Kuala Selangor and Sabak Bernam is due to its higher yield and better quality rice.
According to Ng, he and state executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail, who is Sungai Air Tawar assemblyman, had been tasked by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari to look into expanding the rice cultivation formula in Sekinchan to other localities in Selangor.
“We will choose several locations in the northern part of the state to be used as pilot projects for the Ala Sekinchan rice cultivation method before expanding it to the whole state.
“We are exploring some areas here. For a start, it will involve 202 hectares,” he told Bernama.
Ng said the success of the Ala Sekinchan padi cultivation was not only due to the use of modern technology and an integrated drainage system, but also the attitude of the farmers.
Sekinchan has been recognised as the area with the highest rice yield in the country, recording six to 12 tons per hectare.
“The attitude of farmers is very important in producing quality rice. They succeed because they are disciplined farmers,” he said.
He said the use of machines, such as the padi transplanter and drones, made the planting process easier, faster and more organised.
“In terms of the drainage system, it is more organised here,” he said.
— Bernama
