Seberang perak: The National Seed Council, which is currently in the final stages of evaluation, will be launched soon. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu highlighted the importance of this new body, emphasizing its role in regulating the seed industry in Malaysia and preventing monopolies by any single company or country.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Sabu shared these insights during a press conference after the declaration of the Clearfield padi varieties MR CL3 and MR CL4 at the FELCRA Plantation Services Sdn Bhd Padi Seed Centre in Seberang Perak. The event also saw the presence of key figures including the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) board chairman Dr. Azman Ismail, State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, and MARDI director-general Datuk Dr. Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani.

Mohamad explained that one of the council’s primary functions will be to set up a seed repository system or an official storage center for all types of local agricultural and livestock seeds. He stated that the padi seed center will act as a repository for seeds across the country, ensuring that in case of any issues, the repository can be utilized to produce seeds in the future.

In a meeting held in June, KPKM decided to appoint MARDI as the lead agency for the National Seed Hub. Additionally, an advisory council comprising various experts will be established to develop the coordinating body. Currently, Malaysia heavily depends on imported seeds, with 90 percent of vegetable and watermelon seeds being imported, at a value of RM2.7 million.