BERNAS To Strengthen 80 Pct Rice SSL Mission Through Smart SBB

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Padiberas Nasional Berhad (BERNAS) is implementing the SMART Large-Scale Paddy Field (SMART SBB) Programme, through digital transformation of the paddy sector, by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in an effort to raise the country’s rice self-sufficiency level (SSL) to 80 per cent by 2030.

Its head of Agronomy, Dr Nur Firdaus Mohamad Yusof, said that the initiative is a key pillar in empowering paddy farmers, while ensuring the continuity of the nation’s staple food supply.

“Previously, farmers worked individually, but now they are brought together under centralised management. Activities such as pest control, fertilisation and harvesting are carried out simultaneously, resulting in better yields and lower costs,” she said, in a statement, today.

She added that Malaysia’s current average per capita rice consumption is 76.7 kilogrammes per year, amounting to about 2.6 million tonnes in total. However, only around 56 per cent is produced domestically, with the remainder imported.

In this regard, she said that BERNAS has introduced several initiatives to support paddy farmers, including the SMART Large-Scale Paddy Field (SMART SBB) Programme, to ensure that they receive only high-quality, certified seeds, thereby reducing issues such as ‘padi angin’ (weedy rice).

Citing the SMART SBB project in Kota Belud, Sabah, as an example, she said it had successfully increased production, lowered operating costs and reduced the rate of ‘padi angin’ from 60 per cent to 20 per cent, in just one season.

She also highlighted the use of smart technology through Rakan Tani Pintar AI, which enables paddy farmers to obtain immediate technical advice on matters such as disease control, planting schedules and irrigation guidelines, with responses based on official Rice Check data and agronomists’ field experience.

“In addition, strengthening the farm management solution (FMS) system, based on the Internet of Things (IoT), has enabled five BERNAS-owned weather stations, nationwide, to provide more accurate rainfall forecasts, allowing farmers to harvest earlier before paddy collapses.

“At the same time, remote sensing technology using multispectral drones helps detect diseases and monitor crop fertility, while automated steering systems for machinery make fieldwork easier and more attractive to the younger generation,” she said.

She added that BERNAS also allocates about RM4 million annually to provide free machinery to lead farmers, in addition to offering interest-free farm operation cost advance (PKOL) facilities ahead of each planting season.

“BERNAS also provides the farm work schedule (JKL), and the PROMAK free lunch programme for the children of paddy farmers. In 2023, it launched the BERNAS Rice Quality Laboratory, which is on track to obtain ISO17025:2017 accreditation, making it the first rice testing centre of its kind in Asia,” she said.

Despite challenges, such as climate change, rising input costs and a shortage of young workers, she said that Malaysia remains on track to strengthen food security, through a combination of modern technology and robust policies.

“Farmers are the lifeblood of this industry. By empowering them, we are not only ensuring rice on the people’s plates, but also safeguarding the future of the country’s food security,” she said.

-- BERNAMA