Melaka: The Melaka government is set to introduce Beras Melaka next month as a strategic move to boost the local rice industry and enhance national rice production, announced Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, chairman of the State Rural Development, Agriculture and Food Security Committee. This initiative aims to capitalize on the MR 297 seed, a high-yield rice variety, by processing rice seeds that are unsuitable for planting into market-ready products.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the state government plans to collaborate with the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority to market Beras Melaka to the residents of Melaka. The rice will be available at RM26 for a 10-kg bag, addressing the scarcity of locally produced white rice. Sales will be organized at one location in each district, contingent on stock availability, with a limit of one bag per family.

The rice seed project, spanning 42 hectares and initiated in September 2024, is expected to yield its first harvest this week. The new variety, cultivated by 18 farmers, is projected to produce 189 tonnes. This RM300,000 project incorporates advanced technologies, including drones, and aims to supply nearly half of Melaka’s rice seed needs for a single planting season.

Dr Muhamad Akmal underscored the significance of the project, highlighting its groundbreaking nature as it is being cultivated outside the country’s traditional granary areas, marking a first in Malaysia. The project seeks to mitigate the issue of high seed prices and support local farmers by offering the seeds at a reduced cost. Additionally, it aligns with the state government’s mission to activate and formalize idle rice fields, potentially transforming the local agricultural landscape.