Rice and paddy industry in Malaysia: governance and policies, research trends, technology adoption and resilience

Rice is an important staple food for nearly half the world’s population. In Malaysia, rice and paddy cultivation kickstarted in early 60s with small-scale farming, which later expanded by leaps bounds before emerging as country’s utmost crop. Over decades, Malaysian production system has been suffering from various challenges include extreme weather conditions, poor soil fertility nutrient management, farmers’ lack of awareness knowledge, hesitancy against genetically-modified planting materials deployment technology. The national consumption, simply measured self-sufficiency status staggers between 67 70%. Southeast Asia region export trader Thailand, Vietnam Cambodia, among biggest rice-producing nations. Food security, under context sustaining international trading ties, succumbs to functional fluctuations global supply chains. During unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, containment period during outbreak led significant disruptions chain. phase Malaysia experienced a volatile import trend, facing difficulty secure committed partner. this review, we discuss trajectory industry since its inception, lab-to-field translated breeding strategies adopted yield improvement, governmental participation contribution (approaches, policies programs) technologies use production. Further, relevant cutting-edge technologies, agricultural methods practices catered modern opportunities improve enhance crop health resilience are included. review findings inform new practices, suggest research directions toward sustainable farming provide comprehensive knowledge base accelerate innovation, technology diffusion adoption resilient Malaysia.