Sultan of Perak Inaugurates PPN Perak Certified Paddy Seed Centre, Positioning Perak as the Nation's Quality Seed Hub
Perak has made history in the development of the agricultural sector as His Royal Highness the Sultan of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah graciously officiated the Perak State Farmers Organization (PPN) Certified Paddy Seed Production Centre located at Lot 3122, Parit Buntar.
Also in attendance were Her Royal Highness the Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, His Royal Highness the Raja DiHilir of Perak Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain, and His Highness the Raja Kecil Tengah of Perak, Raja Dato’ Seri Iskandar bin Raja Ziran. The royal arrival was welcomed by key government leaders, including YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, the Chief Minister of Perak, and his wife, YABhg. Datin Seri Aezer Zubin, as well as YB Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, and his wife, Datin Seri Normah Alwi.
This historic ceremony was graced by the presence of senior state and federal leaders, including YABhg. Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja, Gen. Dato' Seri DiRaja Tan Sri (Dr.) Mohd. Zahidi bin Haji Zainuddin (Retired) and his wife, YABhg. Toh Puan Datin Seri Diraja Puan Sri Hajah Rasiah binti Md. Nor; YB Dato’ Mohammad Zahir bin Dato’ Abdul Khalid, Speaker of the Perak State Legislative Assembly and his wife, YBhg. Datin Aznee binti Abu Samah; YB Dato' Ahmad Suaidi bin Abdul Rahim, Perak State Secretary and his wife, YBhg. Datin Che Fauziah binti Ahmad; YB Dato' Mohd Zaki bin Mahyudin, Perak State Financial Officer; YB Members of the State Executive Council; YBhg. Members of the Perak State Council, as well as heads of state and federal departments.
Also present were YBhg. Dato’ Seri Isham bin Ishak, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; YBhg. Dato’ Wira Haji Mahfuz bin Haji Omar, Chairman of the Farmers' Organization Authority (LPP); YBrs. Encik Amir bin Matamin, Director-General of the Farmers' Organization Authority; and Encik Haji Fauzi bin Badron, Deputy Director-General of Development.
The inauguration of this centre marks a strategic step in strengthening the nation's paddy and rice industry ecosystem. Developed with a government allocation of RM12.72 million, the centre is capable of producing 5,000 metric tonnes of certified paddy seeds per year and is set to be fully operational by May 2025. It is one of four new centres developed by the Farmers' Organization Authority (LPP) to empower the national certified paddy seed supply chain.
In total, these four centres are expected to contribute 28% of the nation's certified paddy seed requirements, equivalent to 20,000 metric tonnes per year, or over 1 million bags (20kg). This will support the cultivation of 142,857 hectares of paddy nationwide, thereby reducing the country's dependence on third-party suppliers and strengthening national food security.
YB Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, in his address, expressed his confidence that with the establishment of this centre in Parit Buntar, development in the district would become more vibrant and progressive. He emphasized that this centre is not only important for the farmers' institution but for the entire community of paddy farmers in the country. Strong cooperation between the government, the farming community, and strategic partners at both local and international levels is expected to position Perak as a major hub for high-quality certified paddy seeds in Malaysia.
With a production capacity of up to 1 million bags (20kg) per year and a focus on modern technology, the centre also offers job opportunities to the local community and opens avenues for economic development in the surrounding areas. The presence of this centre makes Perak a leading state in the reform of the paddy industry, in line with the government's efforts to increase the national rice production level from 56% to at least 71%.
The government's commitment to empowering this sector is also translated through comprehensive reform strategies involving the rehabilitation of abandoned paddy fields, the development of paddy granaries in Sabah and Sarawak, the strengthening of irrigation systems, and the restructuring of the paddy and rice industry value chain.
This PPN Perak Certified Paddy Seed Production Centre is not only a symbol of success for farmers but also a symbol of unity between the monarchy, the people, and the government in ensuring national food self-sufficiency and a bright future for the agricultural sector.
