By Shikin Louis
GEDONG, Jan 28: Sarawak farmers are set to benefit from a game-changing rice-planting machine capable of planting one hectare of paddy in less than 50 minutes.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has urged local farmers to rent the machine from the Persatuan Peladang Kawasan (PPK) to boost efficiency and productivity in paddy cultivation.
Highlighting the remarkable speed of the machine, the Premier noted that for farmers managing an average of two hectares of land, the entire planting process could be completed in under two hours—an enormous leap from traditional, labour-intensive methods.
“Orang kampung, mun nya diat baruk nya percaya (Local farmers will only believe if they have seen the outcome).
“That is why I bought the machine earlier but we give it to the PPK, and they will rent it to the farmers because our farmers only have around two hectares of land per family.
“Thus, there’s no use for them to purchase the machine but the PPK or cooperatives can buy it and rent it to the farmers,” he said at a press conference today.
Abang Johari also shared updates on Sarawak’s broader paddy planting initiatives, aimed at meeting the State’s annual rice consumption target of 245,000 tonnes.
He revealed that 14,000 hectares of land have been identified for cultivation using modern farming methods, including areas in the northern regions of Limbang and Lawas.
To ensure success, efforts are being made to educate farmers about transitioning from traditional to modern farming practices.
Collaborations with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) are ongoing to provide the necessary knowledge and training to local farmers.
Earlier, Abang Johari officiated at the closing ceremony of Bank Rakyat’s Rural Digital Programme 2024 in Gedong.
Also present were Federal Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Datuk Ewon Benedick and Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. – DayakDaily
