When rice fields become a canvas, agriculture takes on a whole new artistic dimension.

JATI, one of Malaysia’s most-loved rice brands, has teamed up with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to turn one of the country’s most familiar crops into a spectacular work of living art.

Titled Natural Waves of Malaysia, the sweeping paddy art formation has officially earned a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) as the country’s “Largest Paddy Art Formation”, following its unveiling at the Laman Padisection of MAHA 2026.

A Record-Breaking Work of Living Art

Measuring an impressive 119ft by 126ft, the artwork is made entirely from living paddy — with no paint, dye or synthetic materials involved.

Adding to the scale of the creation, the JATI logo itself measures an impressive 58.42ft by 19.07ft.

What makes Natural Waves of Malaysia particularly fascinating is the way its colours were created. Instead of artificial colouring, different stages of paddy growth were carefully used to create natural shades and contrasts across the field.

From above, the paddy forms a striking heart shape alongside the JATI brand name, representing the brand’s enduring love for Malaysian rice and the farming communities who make it possible.

Celebrating Malaysia Through Paddy

“This achievement was a proud moment for everyone involved in bringing the project to life. As a brand rooted in the rice industry, we wanted to celebrate paddy in a different way while highlighting the creativity and agricultural capabilities we have here in Malaysia,” said Mr. Low Kok Kean, Chairman of LK Labuan Foundation.

The concept was inspired by something beautifully simple — the movement of paddy fields as they sway in the wind.

The natural motion creates waves of green and gold, transforming the agricultural landscape into a giant canvas while showcasing one of Malaysia’s most important crops on an extraordinary scale.

Months of Planning and Precision

Creating a paddy artwork of this size was certainly no simple feat.

The project took months of planning and careful execution, beginning with a coordinate-based design mapped out using AutoCAD.

The digital design was then transferred onto the actual field using wooden stakes and ropes, allowing the team to accurately guide the planting process while maintaining the artwork’s proportions and intricate shape.

The next challenge was getting the colours just right — naturally.

MR 284 paddy seeds were planted directly into the field across three carefully timed phases:

• Yellow Phase
• Green Phase
• Young Paddy Shoot (Anak Padi) stage

By carefully timing the different stages of growth, sections of the paddy matured at different times, creating the natural colour variations and contrast needed for the artwork to gradually emerge.

The result was an impressive example of how agricultural knowledge, technology, planning and creativity can come together.

Officially Recognised by MBOR

Before the record was officially awarded, Natural Waves of Malaysia underwent verification by the Malaysia Book of Records.

The MBOR certificate was subsequently presented by Mr. Jwan Heah, COO of MBOR, to Mr. Low Kok Kean, Chairman of LK Labuan Foundation, who received the certification on behalf of JATI.

The presentation took place in the presence of Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Haji Mohamad bin Sabu, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Malaysia.

More Than Just a Record

For JATI, Natural Waves of Malaysia represents more than simply achieving a Malaysian record.

Rice and paddy are deeply woven into everyday Malaysian life, and this project offers a fresh perspective on how agriculture can be celebrated through creativity.

Rather than using a traditional canvas, JATI turned an entire paddy field into a living work of art — allowing the crop itself to tell a story about Malaysia, its agricultural heritage and the farming communities behind every grain of rice.

It is also a reminder that agriculture is not just about food production. With imagination and innovation, even a familiar paddy field can become something unexpected, meaningful and record-breaking.

And perhaps that is what makes Natural Waves of Malaysia so special — the artwork doesn’t simply depict Malaysia’s love for rice; it grows with it.

For more information about JATI, visit malaysiarice.com.