Kuala lumpur: The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM), in collaboration with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), has introduced two new padi varieties aimed at addressing the weedy rice issue plaguing the country. Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced the development of MR CL3 and MR CL4 varieties, a result of a 20-year strategic partnership between MARDI and BASF (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the newly launched MR CL3 and MR CL4 varieties mature within 99 days and have a yield potential exceeding seven tonnes per hectare. These varieties were unveiled at the FELCRA Berhad Seed Centre, with several key figures in attendance, including KPKM secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak and MARDI director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani.

Mohamad emphasized that both MR CL3 and MR CL4 are resistant to leaf and neck blast diseases. They are designed to fit seamlessly into current KPKM initiatives such as the five padi planting seasons in two years programme and the Large-Scale SMART Padi Field (SMART SBB) programme.

For commercialisation, the new varieties will be integrated into the Clearfield Production System, which encompasses padi varieties, imidazolinone herbicide (Trek), and stewardship guidelines to effectively tackle the weedy rice issue. The MR CL3 and MR CL4 varieties were specifically bred to withstand imidazolinone herbicides.

Weedy rice, or ‘padi angin’ as it is locally known, is a significant problem in Malaysia, often leading to reduced crop yields. The introduction of these new padi varieties is seen as a vital step toward mitigating this issue and improving agricultural productivity.

In addition to launching the new padi varieties, Mohamad also officiated the opening of the Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Complex in Seberang Perak.