GURUN, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- The Kedah state government aims to explore further collaboration opportunities with the National Farmers’ Organisation (NAFAS) to boost padi production in the state.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the effort would extend beyond the production of high-quality fertilisers through Malaysian NPK Fertilizer Sdn Bhd (MNFSB) into other related areas.
"Recently, the SG4 Summit was held, involving Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, and Terengganu, which have joined forces in a regional economic development initiative aimed at maximising economic potential and driving growth in these four states. This collaboration focuses on leveraging each state's strengths and addressing their weaknesses to support one another.
"I see that the SG4 states have significant strengths in the agricultural sector, particularly in food production such as padi and fruits. Kedah, for instance, produces 43 per cent of the country's rice supply.
"In this context, I am confident that NAFAS and Malaysian NPK Fertilizer should further collaborate with the state government to enhance progress in this sector," said Muhammad Sanusi during his working visit to MNFSB here today.
Also present were NAFAS Board of Directors chairman Datuk Zamri Yaakob, MNFSB chief executive officer Abd Halim Hamzah, and NAFAS management.
MNFSB, a joint venture between NAFAS and Petronas Chemical Fertilizer Kedah Sdn Bhd (PCFKSB), has made strides in fertiliser innovation by using a new formulation that can enhance padi yields.
This effort has been carried out in collaboration with the Kedah Zakat Board (LZNK) through the Smart SBB Asnaf programme managed by LZNK for two seasons, and it will continue in the upcoming season as a component of the Gelombang Padi Kedah initiative.
According to MNFSB, the use of this formulation has resulted in increased and consistent yields across the entire 200-hectare area.
In the context of Kedah, MNFSB said it remained committed to providing the best services and continuing its innovative efforts to enhance padi yields in the state, in line with its title as the Rice Bowl of Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
