MARDI to Introduce Resistant Rice Seeds

The Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) has acknowledged the effect of climate change in rice cultivation and production in Malaysia. Director General Datuk Dr. Abdul Shukor Abdul Rahman says MARDI is developing new varieties of rice that are resistant to flood, drought, and high temperatures.

Climate change has rendered several areas in Malaysia unsuitable for rice cultivation, especially the ‘rice bowl’ area in Kedah and this has caused losses in millions of Ringgit. With the new rice varieties, farmers would have better choices and could plant different rice varieties according to the environmental conditions such as too much or too little water, extreme and unfavorable temperatures, acidic soil, and increase in carbon dioxide. The director general further stressed that the current seeds in use which are MR219 and MR232 are not able to thrive under unfavorable conditions.

For more information on biotechnology in Malaysia email Mahaletchumy Arujanan of the Malaysia Biotechnology Information Center at maha@mabic.org.my.