Agriculture Minister Mohamad Sabu reveals over 20,000 hectares of padi fields lost to development or abandonment, urging private sector involvement in revival efforts.
PEKAN: The country has lost more than 20,000 hectares of padi fields nationwide, according to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He said the areas were either developed for housing and other projects or left abandoned by farmers.
“We have lost more than 20,000 hectares of rice fields across the country which have been converted to other developments, whether commercial or residential,” he told Bernama.
Mohamad added that many fields were abandoned as younger families did not continue farming and migrated to cities.
He called on companies to work with government agencies to develop abandoned fields through rental agreements with landowners.
For example, he cited the PLS Group’s agreement to rent and redevelop abandoned fields in Pahang Tua.
This indirectly benefits elderly farmers unable to cultivate their land while reducing abandoned areas.
The Pahang Tua reopening project involves 200 hectares, with 100 of 548 local farmers participating through PLS.
PLS project supervisor Dr Hushaimi Ismail said the company had cleared about 200 hectares of abandoned land.
He said 72 hectares are now under cultivation through a six-season rental agreement with farmers.
