By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, March 18: The Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra) plans to develop 5,000 hectares of land in Sri Aman for large-scale paddy cultivation, making it one of the rice producers in the country.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang said that this federal government initiative would build up the country’s food security as importing rice from countries like Thailand and Vietnam is expensive.
“The federal government allowed Felcra to implement the project based on the Sekinchan rice bowl model.
“For this project (in Sri Aman), it will include a rice mill and modern farming methods,” she told the reporters at a ‘Meet the Sarawak Media’ programme today.
Rubiah said Felcra would also seek the Sarawak government’s support and approval on the matter and is still identifying suitable lands for the project.
“We know that about 200 hectares in Gran Stumbin in Sri Aman are developed by Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas), and although the project is doing well, it is not enough for food security.
“This project is also part of the ministry’s effort in helping the federal government to develop the rural area and to ensure Sarawak and Sabah receive economic prosperity,” she said.
Sekinchan is a small town on the west coast of Malaysia and one of the major rice-producing areas in Malaysia, and the well-irrigated rice paddies have one of the highest rice yields in the country. — DayakDaily
