PENANG, though small in size, takes pride in achieving the highest average rice production for six consecutive years, from 2018 to the present.
In his winding-up speech at the State Assembly sitting today, state Agrotechnology, Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol shared that Penang’s rice cultivation sector generated a noteworthy revenue of RM190.8 million in 2022.
“Penang still maintains first place in annual bulk production despite a reduction in cultivated area throughout the year,” Fahmi told the State Assembly at the State Assembly Building in Light Street.
He credited this success to the state government’s provisions of incentives and assistance to the rice farmers.
“In 2023, an allocation of RM500,000 was directed to the Department of Agriculture to support rice farmers and an additional RM440,000 was allocated to combat the spread of yams, gnats and weeds in paddy fields,” Fahmi said.
“In 2022, a one-off allocation of RM500 was delivered to 5,262 rice farmers throughout the state of Penang, involving a total allocation of RM2.63 million.”
According to geospatial data from the Penang State Town and Country Planning Department in 2022, the total area of agricultural land in 2022 is 41,106 hectares. The distribution in terms of percentage by sector is as follows: Paddy fields: 12,690.8 hectares (30.87%), Livestock Farming: 1,003.7 hectares (2.44%), Vegetables: 982.3 hectares (2.38%) and Fruits: 2,754.2 hectares (6.70%).
Fahmi highlighted a 13.1 per cent increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, with the agricultural sector contributing 1.8 per cent, amounting to RM2.1 billion, compared to RM2 billion in 2021.
The fisheries subsector led with a contribution of 39.6 per cent, followed by the crop subsector at 31.7 per cent and the livestock subsector at 28.8 percent.
While talking about the state’s achievements, Fahmi noted that the government surpassed its goal of establishing 100 community gardens by 2030, reaching 110 agricultural projects with 1,729 participants.
Beyond supplying crops to the local community, these community gardens provide a healthy and beneficial way for the elderly and housewives to spend their free time as well as foster a sense of community spirit.
Fahmi assured ongoing government support for farmers, ranchers, and fishermen to enhance their income and quality of life through comprehensive policies aligned with technological advancements, especially in the face of the current global challenges of ensuring food security.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud