BACKGROUND
The Paddy Industry Division (BIP) is responsible for matters related to the centralized management system of the EPP 10 Agricultural Drive Project, agricultural expansion and transfer of the latest technology, monitoring of high quality paddy seed production and management of agricultural inputs in Muda area. The management of this Division is led by the Director of the Paddy Industry Division who is directly responsible to the General Manager of MADA.
VISION
Being a part of the driving industry development and socio-economic paddy farmers in Muda area.
MISSION
- Transforming rice industry to the level of modern, efficient, sustainable and competitive.
- Help improve the production of paddy in the Muda area.
- Develop and promote Paddy Estate Project NKEA EPP 10 to a sustainable level.
- Streamline program of agricultural development, transfer of new technologies and activities in the area of paddy crops.
OBJECTIVE
- Increase the average paddy yield in the EPP 10 Agricultural Drive Project by 7.1 tonnes per hectare and the entire Young Area by 7.0 tonnes per hectare by 2020.
- Carry out soil fertility improvement programs.
- Weed expansion and monitoring program of paddy weeds and pests to reduce attacks by less than 20% per season.
History of Paddy Agriculture Development in Young Areas
As is well known, the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) has been successful in their efforts to improve the yield of farmers’ paddy farming and solve various problems in the paddy farming area over the past two decades through the programs that have been carried out. Agricultural innovations such as the provision of a neat and orderly infrastructure, the discovery and use of quality paddy seeds, the introduction of agricultural machinery, the conversion of crop systems once a year to twice a year and changes to direct sowing techniques in Muda area have succeeded in increasing paddy production in general.
Although MADA has succeeded in bringing Muda area agriculture to the level of success today but the passage of time, technology and the world of agriculture today cause these two institutions still face various issues and problems and bitter challenges in ensuring that the success achieved continues and can reach that level higher in accordance with the needs of farmers and the needs of the country in the field of agriculture. There are various problems that need to be solved such as pests, rice crop disease, productivity, irrigation system, farmers’ thinking on rice farming, technology acceptance and practice, effective development system, age of active farmers and so on.
MADA paddy production currently reaches an average of 5 to 7 tonnes per hectare. This figure is much better than a decade or two ago. Even so, to meet the needs of the country and overcome the problem of excessive import of foodstuffs and dependence on foreign countries to supply national food then it has become a responsibility, especially the largest paddy production area in Malaysia, namely Muda area to take on this role.
Through this awareness, the goal of MADA is for the production of paddy in the Muda area to be increased. As hard work has been done over the past two (2) decades to reach today’s level, this scenario must be continued if the target of 8 tons per hectare is to be achieved. In order to move towards achieving this goal, the readiness of all parties, including farmers and the MADA organization itself is very much needed. The ability of farmers, MADA’s readiness and expertise, infrastructure and irrigation system, expansion system, government support policy should be taken into account where it greatly influences the process of achieving these goals.