GEORGE TOWN: The average yield of rice production in Penang is the highest in the country for six consecutive years since 2018 until now.
State Agrotechnology and Food Security Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol said although the planting area is shrinking, Penang still maintained first place in terms of annual bulk production.
"Don't think that this small state is not able to compete with larger states.
"This is proven through our highest average rice production in the country for six consecutive years since 2018 until now.
"Our rice cultivation sector successfully yielded RM190.8 million last year,'' he said in the winding up speech at the state legislative assembly sitting here today.
According to Fahmi, the high yield was achieved through the state government's initiative, which channels incentives and assistance in various forms.
"'This year, the state government channeled a RM500,000 allocation to the Agriculture Department, under the Rice Crop Development Project, to help rice farmers remain productive.
"An additional RM440,000 allocation was channeled to the department to eradicate the spread of 'keladi agas' and weeds," he added.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said Penang also contributed to the highest production of aquaculture in the country with a total value of RM681.2 million last year.
"Overall, as much as RM1.18 billion in revenue was obtained through the fisheries sector in Penang for 2022.
"It is also worth mentioning that Penang is in second place in terms of sea catch,'' he said.
Fahmi also said that the Fisheries Department would also strengthen the tuna industry in Penang with a target of 3,000 metric tonnes of tuna fish being brought in from the Indian Ocean through the Deep Water Wharf in Butterworth by 2024.
"Just for everyone's knowledge, Penang is also gazetted as a tuna port, other than Langkawi," he said.