11 May 2026 at 06:29 pm IST
Malaysia has launched cloud seeding operations in its northern rice-producing regions as prolonged dry weather threatens national rice production and water supplies. The initiative, announced in early May 2026, targets the states of Kedah and Perlis, which are considered the country’s primary “rice bowl” areas. Malaysia’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mohamad Sabu, said the drought has led to reduced rainfall, critically low dam levels, and delays in paddy planting activities. Authorities warned that farmers had already missed key planting phases due to insufficient water availability, raising concerns over domestic rice supply stability. The cloud seeding programme is being carried out through cooperation between the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Operations are scheduled across several phases beginning May 10, 2026, with the goal of increasing rainfall in major agricultural and dam catchment areas. Officials said the initiative is part of broader government efforts to strengthen climate resilience and food security as Malaysia faces increasingly volatile weather conditions linked to prolonged heatwaves and drought. In addition to cloud seeding, the government has introduced mitigation measures including alternative rice planting techniques and expansion of national rice buffer stocks to stabilise supply.
