Dr Siti A’iasah (left) checks on NMR152 paddy. — Bernama photo
ROMPIN: The Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia) believes the cultivation of a nuclear rice seed named NMR152 developed by them will help increase national rice production.
Nuklear Malaysia director-general, Dr Siti A’iasah Hashim, said the seeds can produce 8 – 10 tonnes of rice per hectare compared to only 2 – 3 tonnes using normal seeds.
“We hope to boost rice production by changing the method of cultivation and promoting the use of a high yield variety seed like the NMR152 and others which we are developing,” she said.
She said that rice supply in Malaysia was still insufficient and that this would reduce dependence on countries like Thailand and Vietnam to meet domestic demand.
“I believe it is achievable if farmers here use this mutant rice variety which has been recognised by the Agriculture Department and will be sold at a subsidised price,” Dr Siti A’iasah told reporters yesterday.
She was attending a NMR152 seed handover ceremony held in Sawah Skim Paya Laka which was also attended by Nuklear Malaysia deputy director- general, Dr Abdul Rahim Harun and Rompin Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) director, Mohd Faizul Miran.
Nuklear Malaysia contributed the nuclear seeds and Oligokitosan fertiliser to over 20 farmers in the area who were affected by recent floods as a corporate social responsibility initiative.
“The advantage of the NMR152 is that it can survive drought and flooding, as well as withstand rice blast disease and high winds because its stem is strong,” said Dr Siti A’iasah
She said people should not worry about the use of nuclear technology to produce the seeds because it is proven to be safe and does not cause side effects.
“We didn’t modify the seed genetically but sped up the mutation process using gamma rays to improve the mother seed,” said Dr Siti A’iasah. — Bernama