GEORGE TOWN, Nov 17 — 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 called keladi agas (Monochoria vaginalis).

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