Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg speaking to reporters in Kuching on Tuesday (Oct 29). - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: The Sarawak government is going full steam ahead on large-scale rice cultivation, with RM1bil approved for farm infrastructure such as advanced drainage and irrigation system.
Of the funds, RM51mil will be allocated in 2025, according to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak, which is aiming for rice self-sufficiency, has designated some 14,500ha for rice cultivation across the state, including in Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Kapit, Mukah, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang divisions.
The government has set aside an additional RM50mil for land acquisition, particularly for Tanjung Purun rice scheme in Kuching.
“With Sarawak’s current rice production meeting only 32% of the state’s demand, resulting in the import of about 153,000 tonnes last year at a cost of RM401mil, we have committed to transforming the rice farming sector into a sustainable, self-sufficient industry.
“To achieve a 100% self-sufficiency in rice, various initiatives have been undertaken, including expanding rice cultivation areas, rehabilitating drainage and irrigation systems and utilising high-yield seeds alongside sustainable agricultural practices,” Abang Johari said recently.
With the use of hybrid rice seeds from Vietnam, Sarawak has the potential to produce 240,000 tonnes of rice a year. These seeds have been tried out under a pilot project in Lubok Punggor, Samarahan, and found to be successful in producing eight tonnes per hectare per season.
Sarawak currently imports rice mainly from Vietnam and India.
The rice-infrastructure development projects, according to Sarawak Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, is expected to lead to the implementation of five planting seasons within two years.
He said the designated rice cultivation areas will be developed up to tertiary infrastructure that enables the full potential of farm mechanisation.
The projects will be carried out in phases, with 18 of them in various designated areas to be implemented concurrently beginning in 2025.
The remaining 22 projects are expected to take off in 2026.
To back up Sarawak’s commercial ricedevelopment, the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) recently set up a dedicated rice infrastructure development unit to plan, execute and manage such projects. The unit is manned by three engineers and five assistant engineers.
Rundi said a separate RM46mil has been approved under “Projek Rakyat “ to upgrade the drainage and irrigation infrastructure in the Mid-Sadong 1 scheme, Lubok Punggor, Samarahan. The contract has just been awarded and is expected to take 10 months to complete.
In efforts to modernise argiculture, Rundi said the Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to be extended to rice farming next year.
“The IoT applications, including the use of drones and mechanised equipment for tasks such as transplanting, ploughing and fertilising, will revolutionise traditional farming methods.
“The IoT is already being used in other agricultural areas such as fertilising, irrigation and precision farming. The IoT is the way forward to attract the younger generation into the agriculture sector and increase efficiency,” he said after officiating the Agriculture Institute Sarawak’s (IPS) convocation ceremony here last week.
Rundi said to drive agriculture transformation in Sarawak, the state needs young people who have been trained at IPS and other tertiary educational institutions.
IPS has trained and produced nearly 2,030 graduates since 1985, with 80% of them securing jobs and 5% becoming agro-preneurs.
“These individuals are more adaptable, skilled and familiar with new technologies, like IoT, precision farming and modern practices. I see great potential in improving the livelihoods of rural farming communities.”
He said modern farming is critical to achieve the states vision of turning Sarawak into a net food exporter by 2030.
