Animal Pest-Control Methods
Bernas and USM Launch a Barn Owl Project to Combat Rice Field Pests
Kanesa D — June 11, 2025
Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), in partnership with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), has introduced the 'Driving Sustainable Agriculture' initiative, an eco-conscious project aimed at reducing reliance on chemical pesticides by addressing one of the most persistent threats to rice cultivation: paddy field rats.
Central to the initiative is the introduction of barn owls as a natural predator and biological control method. This approach not only supports healthier ecosystems but also offers smallholder farmers an effective, low-impact alternative to conventional pest control.
The program targets key rice-growing regions across Malaysia, with a special focus on empowering B40 farmers to adopt more sustainable and environmentally responsible practices.
"This collaborative project with USM is driven by the Barn Owl and Rodent Research Group (BORG) under the School of Biological Sciences and is fully funded by GlobalGiving, an international organisation that supports sustainable development worldwide," it said in a statement.
