Perak: Perak will expand the cultivation of the BAW-1 red onion variety, also known as Bawang Perak, to several districts identified as suitable for the crop. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad announced that the districts include Kuala Kangsar, Muallim, and Perak Tengah, in addition to Kampung Ladang Bikam in Sungkai, Batang Padang, which began planting the variety last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initiative aims to open new areas that meet the criteria for onion cultivation, focusing on fertile soil to produce high-quality yields. Bawang Perak is known for its sweet and flavourful taste, enhancing its market appeal. So far, four districts have been identified as suitable, with plans to expand to several more.

Saarani shared these plans with reporters after launching the FAMA Fest 2025 @ Perak at the Rural Transformation Centre. The event was also attended by Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup and State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun.

Saarani revealed that a total of 12.4 metric tonnes of Bawang Perak was produced last year from a nine-hectare cultivation area. In a related announcement, Deputy Minister Arthur stated that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has allocated an additional RM1.4 million this year to expand the cultivation of the variety.

He emphasized that the commercial-scale production of Bawang Perak, the first of its kind in the country, was a significant milestone achieved through collaboration between the Perak Agriculture Department and the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI).