Mardi director-general Datuk Dr Sharif Haron (centre) symbolically harvests rice at the harvesting ceremony. — Bernama photo
KLANG: The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) plans to introduce aerobic rice cultivation over 1,000 ha nationwide by year-end.
Director of Aerobic Rice Cultivation, Dr Sariam Othman, said the cultivation, which used a special variety of rice, MRIA 1, would reduce the need for water and cut the nation’s dependence irrigation system to plant the rice.
“Aerobic rice cultivation is different from the wet rice cultivation. It is suitable in the rural areas and in peat soil.
“The rice can be harvested in only 90 days and planted three times a year with output of up to five tonnes a hectare,” he told Bernama here yesterday.
He said this after attending a harvesting ceremony of the aerobic rice planted on peat soil at Mardi Klang here yesterday.
Sariam, who is also director of Technical Services, said the MRIA 1 variety, a product of Mardi’s research, would rehabilitate the neglected land.
It would also overcome the problem of the shortage of water which was expected to affect the nation soon.
“The cultivation of aerobic rice represents an innovative rice output technology which can help reduce water usage by 50 per cent compare to the methods which depend on types of soil, rainfall and water management,” he said.
He said Mardi started research on the aerobic rice cultivation in 2004, covering all aspects, including output, agronomy and grass management.
Mardi Selangor director, Dr Zainal Abidin Hassan, said the institute planted the aerobic rice, which was now ready for harvesting, on three ha in Mardi Klang. — Bernama