KPKM Ready To Help Private Companies Redevelop Abandoned Rice Fields

PEKAN, April 3 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is ready to assist private companies keen on developing abandoned rice fields in the country.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, said this will be done by entering into a rental agreement with the landowners.

"This will indirectly benefit elderly rice farmers who are unable to cultivate their land, apart from reducing the number of abandoned rice fields,” he said.

Mohamad told Bernama this while inspecting the project to reopen abandoned rice fields in Pahang Tua here today.

He said the country has lost more than 20,000 hectares of padi fields so far, because the areas in question had been developed for housing or other development projects, while some were left abandoned.

"There are also abandoned rice fields because many younger families have not continued their rice farming and have migrated to the city,” he said.

For example, Mohamad said that PLS Group had entered into an agreement to rent abandoned rice fields in Pahang Tua here for redevelopment.

The project to reopen abandoned rice fields in Pahang Tua covers 200 hectares, with 100 out of 548 farmers participating in the programme through PLS.

Meanwhile, PLS group project supervisor Dr Hushaimi Ismail said through the rice field re-opening project, his company had cleared about 200 hectares (500 acres) of abandoned land, with ​​72 hectares (180 acres) under cultivation.

He said the company had started clearing the abandoned land since the Chinese New Year under a six-season rental agreement with farmers here.

Through the agreement, he said, farmers could get their produce, and their abandoned rice fields could be better managed.

-- BERNAMA