By Amanda L
KUCHING, May 12: The proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board has been urged to prioritise measurable outcomes over institutional restructuring, with Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong cautioning that new frameworks alone will not translate into higher rice production or improved food security.
Debating the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today, she said the effectiveness of the proposed board must be assessed based on tangible results rather than structural changes.
“While the establishment of the board represents a significant policy move, it must be supported by clear performance indicators to ensure real progress in strengthening Sarawak’s rice sector,” she said.
Among her key concerns is Sarawak’s current rice self-sufficiency level, estimated at between 34 and 38 per cent, which continues to leave the State heavily dependent on imports.
She cautioned that reliance on external suppliers such as Vietnam and Thailand exposes Sarawak to risks arising from global supply disruptions, climate change and rising import costs.
Accordingly, she urged the board to establish a clear roadmap towards achieving at least 60 per cent self-sufficiency, supported by year-on-year targets and measurable benchmarks.
Yong also highlighted the need to better integrate Sarawak’s identified padi production zones into a coordinated development system, including areas in Sri Aman, Gedong, Lundu, Betong, the Rejang Delta, Lawas and Limbang.
However, she noted that these areas remain at varying stages of development, with some still in pilot or early implementation phases, resulting in uneven productivity levels.
She said this underscores the need for the board to introduce transparent monitoring mechanisms, including data on land utilisation, yield per hectare, irrigation readiness and farmer participation.
Yong further called for stronger coordination between the board and relevant infrastructure agencies, particularly in irrigation systems, rural access roads and logistics, which she described as persistent constraints in the sector.
The Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 seeks to establish a statutory body to oversee the development of the State’s rice industry, including production, logistics, research, marketing and commercialisation. — DayakDaily
