Leading key players and support system in Malaysian paddy production chain

This study aims to investigate the contribution of leading key players for maintaining and increasing the quality of paddy industry in Malaysia. The Ministry of Agriculture and Argo-based Industry (MOA) plays a key role in improving the production of paddy and welfare of the farmers in this country by doing the transformation within the agricultural sector. Hence, in order to ensure the successful implementation and fulfilment of direction from Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and Farmers Organisation Authority (FOA) involve greatly in Malaysian paddy production chain with each agency playing different roles. BERNAS acts as the main regulatory body in the production chain. It does so by ensuring the stability of rice trade within the country as well as its distribution. By way of qualitative methodology, this study conducted in-depth interviews with six key informants on their respective agency's contribution to paddy industry in Malaysia. We also conducted a review of the agencies' web page and previous literature on respective agencies. This research found that the farming area is divided into two major sections; the granary area and non-granary area. The granary area is the area recognized by the government as the main paddy production area and the non-granary area is the opposite of this recognition. This research provides substantial information about the roles of key players in Malaysia paddy value chain, especially MADA and Farmers Organisation Authority and discusses current issues, initiatives and suggestions in relation to the paddy industry.