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4. 4. Malaysia: The integrated weed management campaign

The Strategic Extension Campaign (SEC) on integrated weed management in the Muda irrigation scheme was carried out by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) which is a large irrigated agricultural development area scheme in North Malaysia. It is not part of Malaysia's Department of Agriculture (DOA), and it has its own Extension & Training Department. Upon learning of the successful results of the SEC on Rat Control conducted by the DOA, MADA requested FAO to assist in planning and conducting an SEC on Integrated Weed Management (IWM). MADA senior management officials after discussions with FAO staff agreed on a collaborative effort to implement this SEC programme to handle the weed problem which was fast becoming a serious one in the Muda irrigation scheme with the wide-spread implementation of direct-seeding method or rice planting. FAO's Agricultural Education and Extension Service (ESHE) and FAO's Inter-Country Programme on IPM in Rice (projects GCP/RAS/101/NET and GCP/RAS/092/AUL) provided the technical assistance in planning and designing the necessary SEC operational steps, and in providing SEC training support. The evaluation studies of the SEC on IWM were conducted by researchers from the Science University of Malaysia (USM).

One of the objectives of the SEC on IWM was to train a core-group of MADA staff on the process and skills of designing a well-planned and systematic extension and training programme based on the SEC principles. In addition to FAO staff, six of Malaysia's Dept. of Agriculture (DOA) staff members who were trained during the FAO-assisted SEC on Rat Control in Malaysia were the main resource persons in planning the SEC activities on IWM, and in providing SEC training to MADA personnel. As shown in Figure 4-32, SEC workshops and follow-up activities were conducted consistent with implementation steps suggested in Fig. 2-2. The first preparatory and training activity of the SEC on IWM started in October 1987, but the actual implementation of the campaign itself started only in January 1989 and lasted through the dry planting season of 1989 (January - September). The campaign was undertaken in Districts III and IV of the Muda scheme with a target beneficiaries of 30,000 farm families. The effectiveness of the SEC activities was evaluated in November 1989.

As reported by Mohamed and Khor (1990) in their evaluation of the SEC on IWM, the campaign's total expenditure was US$ 46,400 (see Fig. 446). Evaluation studies also revealed that rice production yield in the campaign areas increased by about 9,500 tons, equivalent to US$ 2.33 million. The estimated cost-benefit ratio is 1:50, and the economic benefit per farm family who adopted the campaign recommendations is about US$ 195 per season (see fig. 4-45).

Mohd. Noor and Othman (1992) reported that in subsequent years, other strategic extension campaigns were launched by MADA without external assistance. Another IWM campaign was conducted for Districts I and II during the off-season period (February - July) in 1990. The following year (1991) another SEC campaign was undertaken focusing on the Importance of Following the Planting Schedule as determined by MADA. In 1992, an SEC was conducted that emphasized the correct planting techniques of Dry Seeding Method of Rice Cultivation. These two campaigns covered all four MADA districts.

Ho (1994) reported that as a result of the Campaign, the infestation of Echinochloa crusgalli and E. corona was reduced by 66 percent in 1989/90, whilst rice yield increased by 27 percent, as compared to the 1988 season prior to the campaign. Ho (1994) also pointed out that "...Continuous implementation of SEC on IWM in the period of 1990-1993 over the entire Muda area has shown remarkable results. The dry-seeded first season rice yields have increased steadily, reaching 4.2 tons/ha. in 1993. Meanwhile the wet seeded second season rice yields have consistently been above 5.0 tons/ha. It is noteworthy that over the same period, the usage of herbicides has declined." (see Fig. 4-47).

In the following pages, some important information on the planning, implementation process, and results of the SEC on Integrated Weed Management (IWM) in 1993. Meanwhile the wet seeded second season rice yelds have consistently been above 5.0 tons/ha. conducted by MADA in 1989 are provided.

STRATEGIC EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (SEC) ON INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT IN THE MUDA IRRIGATION SCHEME, MALAYSIA

Activities and Schedule for SEC on Integrated Weed Management in Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia

Notes:

* FAO here refers to FAO projects: GCP/RAS/101/NET and for GCP/RAS/092/AUL
** The participants of all the workshops were the same participants who attended the first Workshop in October 1987

FIGURE 4-33

The Strategic Extension Campaign On Integrated Weed Management in the Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia

IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS

Note: the above mentioned problems were identified and prioritized based on the results of the survey of farmers in the MUDA Irrigation Scheme on their knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) regarding Integrated Weed Management. The KAP Survey was conducted by Mohamed and Khor (1988).

FIGURE 4-34

The Strategic Extension Campaign On Integrated Weed Management in the Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia

OBJECTIVES OF CAMPAIGN

(r) AN EXAMPLE OF SIMPLIFIED TECHNOLOGY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONTROL OF BARNYARD GRASS (Echinocloa species) AND RUMPUT MIANG (Leptochloa chinensis) IN DRY-SEEDED RICE: for the Strategic Extension Campaign on Integrated Weed Control in the Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia

Dry seeding;
WHY

• To ensure two rice crops per year under water scarcity
• Double cropping can ensure continuous income to rice farmers
• Can cultivate rice even in drought situation
• To ensure income from rice cultivation even in drought situations

Selection of seeds:
WHY?

• Reduce contamination by weed seeds
• Less reduction in rice yield
• Reduce weed problems
• Save costs in herbicide application
• Improve rice quality
• Increase rice yield
• Higher income from rice crop

FROM WHERE?

• Select seeds from plots without barnyard grass infestation
• Do not select seeds directly from the combine harvester for planting
• Buy seeds which are of higher quality from Farmers' Association

(r) STEPS IN WEED CONTROL IN RICE FIELDS UNDER DRY SEEDING

A. Land Preparation

1. Burn straw and rice stubbles
2. Rotovate land under dry condition
3. Rotovate land for second time to achieve better filth
4. Level land with rear bucket attached to tractor
5. Construct in-field feeder channels (waterways) in rice fields to facilitate water distribution
6. Eradicate volunteer seedlings and weeds that germinate with paraquat at 2 litres/ha
7. Do not disturb the soil after paraquat application.

To disturb soil after paraquat application can encourage weed germination.

LAND LEVELLING

WHY?

• Will facilitate water distribution in fields (water will be easily distributed to the whole plot)
• To reduce weed infestation
• To reduce use of herbicides
• Increase the effectiveness of herbicides
• Reduce cost in weed control
• Make weed control easier

PARAQUAT APPLICATION

WHY?

• Kill volunteer seedlings and weeds germinate before broadcasting
• Destroy sources of rice diseases and pests

CONSTRUCTION OF IN-FIELD FEEDER CHANNELS (WATERWAYS)

WHY?

• To facilitate uniform water distribution without using the water pump
• Cost saving
• Good water management reduces weed growth

HOW?

• In areas experiencing water delay, quarternary canals need to be constructed with majority agreement. Size of quaternary canal should be 12" wide and 12" deep along field levee (bunds). Distribute water to end of plot first

• In higher areas use the pump as a group activity for everybody's convenience

• The bund is important for water control. Size of bund must be 1' high and 1' wide and must be clean

• Field weir must be constructed and blocked with planks Farmers must visit fields everyday to check for efficient water management

B. Seeds Broadcasting

8. 3-5 days after paraquat application, broadcast selected viable seeds at 70 kg/ha.
9. Do not rotovate soil after broadcast
10. Let in water into fields until soil is just wet
11. Reseeding in vacant spots where germination is poor
12. Maintaining standing water after seedling establishment

C. Herbicide Use

13. Spray STAM F-34 (Propanil) using fan-jet or floodjet nozzle. Rate of application is 2.5 kg a.i./ha. (a.i. = active ingredient) to control barnyard grass and Leptochloa grass at 2-3 leaves stage
or
Spary ARROSOLO (Propanil + Molinate) using polyjet nozzle at 3.0 kg a.i./ha. for barnyard grass anf Leptochloa grass at 2-3 leaves stage

14. 2-3 days after herbicide application, raise water level to 2-3 inches in rice field
15. Maintain water level in rice field

CAUTION

16. Fill up empty spaces in the fields with healthy rice seedlings, and also pull out any barnyard grass and Leptochloa grass found in the field.

FIGURE 4-35

Strategic Multi-Media Plan for a Campaign on Integrated Weed Management in Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia

FIGURE 4-36

Source: Y. L. Khor and R. Mohamed, "The Information Recall and Impact Survey (IRIS) on the Strategic Extension Campaign on Integrated Weed Management in the Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia" Penang, Malaysia, March 1990

FIGURE 4-37

Source: Y. L. Khor and R. Mohamed, "The Information Recall and Impact Survey (IRIS) on the Strategic Extension Campaign on Integrated Weed Management in the Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia", Penang, Malaysia, March 1990

FIGURE 4-38

Source: Y. L. Khor and R. Mohamed, "The Information Recall and Impact Survey (IRIS) on the Strategic Extension Campaign on Integrated Weed Management in the Muda Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia", Penang, Malaysia, March 1990

FIGURE 4-39

Farmers' EXPOSURE to Campaign Message

Source: Y. L. Khor and R. Mohamed, 1990

FIGURE 4-40

Farmers' PARTICIPATION in MADA's Campaign Training Programme

Source: Y.L. Khor and R. Mohamed, 1990

FIGURE 4-41

Farmers' Exposure to Multi-Media Campaign Materials

Source: Y. L. Khor and R. Mohamed, 1990

FIGURE 4-42

Source: Y. L. Khor and R. Mohamed, "The Information Recall and Impact Survey (IRIS) on the Strategic Extension Campaign on Integrated Weed Management in the MUDA Irrigation Scheme, Malaysia", Penang, Malaysia, March 1990.

FIGURE 4-43

Training Cost of the Integrated Weed Management Campaign in MUDA Irrigation Scheme, Kedah, Malaysia

FIGURE 4-44

Breakdown of Expenses for Campaign Multi Media Materials Development

US$ 1.00 = M$ 2.70 (based on exchange rate in 1989)

FIGURE 4-45

Cost and Benefit Analysis of Integrated Weed Management Campaign (in US $)

FIGURE 4-46

Total Expenditure for the Integrated Weed Management Campaign in Muda Irrigation Scheme, Kedah, Malaysia

FIGURE 4-47

Source: Nai-Kin Ho (1994), "Integrated Weed Management of Rice in Malaysia: Some Aspects of the MUDA Irrigation Scheme's Approach and Experience".

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