Nuklear Malaysia, MADA Partner To Boost Agricultural Productivity

SERDANG, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia) has forged a strategic partnership with the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) to strengthen the application of nuclear science and technology in enhancing the productivity of the country’s agriculture sector.

The collaboration was formalised through the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) document held in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) here today.

The document exchange was carried out by Nuklear Malaysia director-general Dr Muhammad Rawi Mohamed Zin and MADA general manager Zulkifli Romli, witnessed by Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak.

Under the partnership, both parties will explore the use of nuclear technology in hydrology and water resource management, including groundwater monitoring, sedimentation studies and assessment of irrigation infrastructure integrity to support more efficient water management in MADA’s padi cultivation areas.

The initiative will also focus on research and development (R&D) in smart agrotechnology for padi cultivation, covering soil and nutrient management, the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, as well as isotope techniques for monitoring pests and crop diseases.

The collaboration also includes exploring the cultivation of climate-resilient padi varieties and seed authenticity verification to support the production of high-quality seeds and improve productivity.

Human capital development and technology transfer will also be strengthened through joint supervision of Master’s and PhD programmes to produce more local experts in nuclear technology applications, hydrology and agrotechnology.

The partnership is also aligned with the National Nuclear Technology Policy 2030 (DTNN 2030), which aims to strengthen the country’s nuclear technology ecosystem in supporting socioeconomic development, sustainability and food security through peaceful and sustainable applications.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Rawi said the implementation of DTNN 2030 had contributed to an annual increase in the export value of local products related to nuclear technology, reflecting its significant economic contribution.

He said from 2021 to 2025, exports were valued at RM6.21 billion, involving 348 local exporting companies and markets including Singapore, the United States, Brunei, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and Thailand.

“The cumulative achievement of RM6.21 billion has also surpassed the RM2.403 billion target set for 2030,” he said at the MoU exchange ceremony.

Muhammad Rawi said the encouraging performance showed that nuclear technology development not only contributed to scientific advancement but also had the potential to drive R&D commercialisation, high-technology industry development and improve the competitiveness of local companies.

“The increase shows that the local ecosystem is not only involved in research and development but has expanded into production and export activities involving local companies,” he said.

He added that Nuklear Malaysia remained committed to strengthening strategic partnerships with government agencies and industry players to ensure nuclear expertise was fully utilised in supporting the country’s development agenda.

MAHA 2026, which enters its 14th edition, is being held for 10 days from Aug 28 to Sept 6 and serves as a key platform to showcase innovations, technology and business opportunities in the country’s agrofood sector.

-- BERNAMA