By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, June 10: The GS30 hybrid paddy variety being trialled in Tanjung Purun, Lundu, has demonstrated a maximum yield potential of 12 to 14 metric tonnes per hectare, nearly double the conventional yield of around six to seven metric tonnes per hectare, said Sarawak Minister for Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom.
The GS30 variety, a hybrid from Wuhan, China, is currently being developed and tested by Baja Engineering Sdn Bhd, with several plots at the 187-hectare site showing notable differences in productivity depending on the farming methods used.
“Across several plots of land, we noticed a difference in yields. This is because each method varies, and we aim to identify the most effective one to maximise output,” said Dr Rundi, adding that new farming approaches could help further increase production and yield.
Dr Rundi made the remarks during a press conference following his working visit to the GS30 hybrid paddy planting site at the Tanjung Purun Paddy Planting Scheme in Lundu today.
To support this modern farming method, the minister stressed the importance of complete infrastructure, including primary, secondary, and tertiary irrigation systems, and effective water control.
“One key takeaway is that proper infrastructure is essential—from primary to secondary and tertiary systems.
“Water entering farms and paddy fields must be controllable, and able to be drained when no longer needed,” he said, adding that a hardpan must be created to ensure machinery does not sink into the soil.
He noted that paddy farming should now move toward fully mechanised processes: “For now, we’re handling operations like plowing, transplanting, fertilising, spraying pesticides, and harvesting manually. After that, the process moves to drying, then to the mill to produce rice.”
Dr Rundi said such efforts are critical to strengthening Sarawak’s food security, given the State’s high dependency on imported rice from countries such as Vietnam and India.
“What worries us is the possibility that these countries may one day stop exporting rice. That’s when our food security will be truly tested,” he warned.
He also highlighted the potential for downstream processing of surplus rice into products such as biscuits and confectionery, contributing to value-added economic growth.
The 187-hectare site at Tanjung Purun is currently undergoing off-season planting trials, with standout plots demonstrating the effectiveness of soil treatments like liming and adherence to expert-recommended practices.
“I believe that what we are doing needs a driver. This driver is a term we call the ‘anchor’.
“The anchor teaches correct methods and acts as the off-taker, with links to external markets,” said Dr Rundi.
Dr Rundi further noted that such a system would support contract farming, provided it is market-driven and integrated from production to sale.
“This is what makes the contract farming system viable. Without it, working in silos won’t succeed,” he said. — DayakDaily
