Rice seed R&D varieties fail to increase yields?

Questions are being raised about the effectiveness of Malaysia's rice seed research and development (R&D) programs, with concerns that they are failing to translate into tangible yield increases for farmers. Mohd. Shazwan Suban, chairman of Suara Tani Malaysia, highlighted that while the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) has presented data showing high potential yields for new varieties like MR297, actual farmer harvests still hover between four and five metric tons per hectare.

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It raises questions about who is actually failing. Have the researchers done their job, but the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) failed to translate research results into implementation at the farmer level?

This discrepancy has led to scrutiny over how substantial government funds allocated for R&D are being utilized. Shazwan questioned whether researchers are fulfilling their duties or if the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) is failing to effectively implement research findings at the farmer level. He pointed out that despite years of significant investment, most farmers have not fully benefited from advanced technologies, including high-potential seed varieties, precision agriculture, and modern mechanization.

Shazwan called for greater accountability, asking who should be held responsible when successful lab technologies fail to reach the fields and what the real obstacles are to slow technology transfer. He urged KPKM to move beyond seminars and reports, emphasizing that true success should be measured by increased farmer yields, reduced production costs, and enhanced national food security. He demanded clear, measurable targets for yield increases through R&D implementation within the next three planting seasons, along with action plans and monitoring mechanisms.

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Who should be held accountable when technology is successful in the lab but fails to reach the fields? What are the real obstacles causing technology transfer to farmers to remain too slow?

Malaysia faces significant food security challenges, and delays in adopting innovations mean missed opportunities to boost domestic rice production, lessen import dependency, and improve farmers' incomes. Shazwan stressed that farmers need practical technology adoption more than numerous seminars.

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We urge KPKM to set clear, transparent, and measurable targets. Within the next three planting seasons, what is the targeted increase in average yield per hectare through the implementation of existing R&D technologies?