Kedah

Kedah exists because rice paddies exist—and because Malaysia's 'Rice Bowl' feeds a nation increasingly dependent on imports. Contributing one-third of Malaysia's rice production, Kedah's 2.23 million residents cultivate the lowlands between Penang's industrial coast and the Thai border. Yet the state's agricultural identity masks vulnerability: Malaysia imported 1.36 million tonnes of rice in 2024, revealing that even Kedah's output cannot meet domestic demand. The economy grew just 1.6% in 2024 (RM51.8 billion), with services (56.2%) outpacing agriculture (10.7%) in GDP contribution—the 'Rice Bowl' is diversifying despite its branding. Langkawi island (UNESCO Global Geopark) anchors a tourism sector targeting eco-tourists and luxury travelers, while the 'Greater Kedah 2050' plan launched in 2021 (relaunched 2024) envisions aerospace manufacturing and border logistics as new growth engines. The Kulim Hi-Tech Park hosts Intel's wafer fabrication operations, creating a northern corridor complementing Penang's semiconductor cluster. Agricultural productivity grew 8.4% in 2024—strongest among states—as mechanization reached rice farmers historically excluded from census data. By 2026, Kedah faces the challenge of preserving food security while generating urban employment: young Malaysians increasingly reject rice farming despite its strategic importance.