January 22, 2026
World
World
TOKYO, Jan 22 — Japan has halted the restart of the world’s largest nuclear power plant just hours after it began, though the reactor remains “stable,” the operator said.
PASIR SALAK, July 14 — The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM), through the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), has unveiled two new padi varieties — MR CL3 and MR CL4 — aimed at tackling the persistent issue of weedy rice in Malaysia.
Agriculture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the development of these Clearfield varieties was the result of a 20-year strategic collaboration between MARDI and BASF (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
“Both MR CL3 and MR CL4 mature in just 99 days and have a yield potential exceeding seven tonnes per hectare,” he said at the launch ceremony held at Felcra Berhad’s Seed Centre.
Also in attendance were KPKM secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, Perak Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun, MARDI Governing Board chairman Dr Azman Ismail, and MARDI director-general Datuk Dr Mohamad Zabawi Abdul Ghani.
Mohamad highlighted that the new varieties are resistant to leaf and neck blast diseases and can be implemented under key initiatives such as the Five Seasons in Two Years programme and the Large-Scale Smart Padi Field (Smart SBB) programme.
Commercialisation of MR CL3 and MR CL4 will follow the Clearfield Production System, which includes the padi varieties, imidazolinone-based herbicide (Trek), and stewardship guidelines — all aimed at effectively managing weedy rice, known locally as padi angin, a major threat to crop productivity.
The new varieties have been specially bred to resist imidazolinone herbicides, making them a valuable tool in modern rice cultivation.
Earlier, Mohamad also officiated the opening of the new Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Complex in Seberang Perak. — Bernama
