{
  "id": 7184722,
  "title": "Nestle Malaysia supports padi farmers to boost supply chain",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/nestle-malaysia-supports-padi-farmers-to-boost-supply-chain",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T22:00:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/09/1532164/nestle-malaysia-supports-padi-farmers-boost-supply-chain"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nestle Malaysia has invested over RM6 million in its Nestle Paddy Club (NPC) since 2012, aiming to bolster its local rice supply chain and uplift the livelihoods of padi farmers. CEO Juan Aranols highlighted the program's scope, encompassing farming techniques, agricultural inputs, machinery, and expert guidance. Currently, NPC encompasses around 200 farmers operating on more than 600 hectares in Kedah and Perlis. Farmers under this program have consistently outperformed the national average, with yields reaching up to 5.4 tonnes per hectare and 4.96 tonnes per hectare in recent seasons, compared to the national annual average of approximately four tonnes per hectare.\n\nOne beneficiary, 61-year-old farmer Md Nasir Md Saman, attributes his success to technical advice, pesticides, vitamins, and machinery provided by the program, which also covers crop losses due to natural disasters. Another farmer, 54-year-old Zalifah Desa, reported a significant increase in yield, boosting her income to over RM3,000 per plot, up from RM2,000. Nestle Malaysia sources 100% of its cereal rice locally from NPC, which is a component of its broader Farmer Connect initiative, extending support to local production of padi, chili, coffee, and cocoa.",
  "summary": "Your browser does not support the audio element.",
  "key_points": [
    "Nestle Malaysia invests RM6 million in Nestle Paddy Club since 2012",
    "Program supports 200 farmers on 600+ hectares in Kedah and Perlis",
    "NPC farmers yield 5.4-4.96 tonnes per hectare, surpassing national average"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Nestle Malaysia strengthens support for paddy farmers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/nestle-malaysia-strengthens-support-for-paddy-farmers",
        "published": "2026-09-14T00:08:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}