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January 23, 2009
Source:
CropBiotech Update
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.
Other news from
MARDI |
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