Management Arrangements for Diversifying Rice Irrigation Systems in Malaysia

THE RICE LANDS of Malaysia, tolaling 0.6 M ha are broadly classified as either granary or nongranary areas. The granaries comprise 8 large and contiguous irrigation schemes, covering 210,000 ha and producing more than 65 percent of the country's total output; and it is in these granaries that further developine.nt of rice production will bt. concentrated. The nongranaries are either rain-fed or have been provided with irrigation facilities to ensure that they are cropped at least one seasou in an year. Following the review of the rice production policy and concurrent with agriculture diversification strategies, the 11011granaries have been redesignated as diverse crop production areas in contrast 10 the granaries which are monocropped with rice. In line with this decision, a feasibility study 011 crop diversification and rationalization was carried out under theTechnical CooperationPrograin between thegoverninents oflapan and Malaysia (ANON 1990a). The study focused on the nongranary irrigated areas of Malaysia comprising 924scheines, totaling 130,100 ha.