GEORGE TOWN, Nov. 16 -- The Penang government is stepping up efforts to help paddy farmers recover from major losses in season 1 of 2025 caused by an outbreak of an invasive weed calledkeladi agas(Monochoria vaginalis).

Fahmi Zainol, the Penang agrotechnology, food security and cooperative developmentchairman, told the state assembly today that the weed has severely reduced yields and, in some cases, wiped out entire harvests.

"The invasive aquatic weed, which spreads quickly through seeds and rhizomes, has been identified as the primary cause of the decline, competing with paddy crops for nutrients, sunlight and water," he said in reply to questions from Opposition assemblymen Amir Hamzah Abdul Hashim (PAS-Permatang Pasir) and Mohd Sab...