By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, March 10: Sarawak intends to cultivate high-yield paddy on over 20,000 hectares of land, says Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to Abang Johari, approximately 10,000 hectares of land has been identified for the purpose in the southern areas, namely in Simunjan, Gedong, and Sri Aman, including the villagers’ land (smallholders), and another 10,000 hectares in the northern areas, as well as in Limbang, Lawas, and Bekenu.
“If we put in a lot of effort, I think by 2030, we will be able to produce according to the market demand in Sarawak, and if there are any leftover, it will be sold abroad,” he told a press conference after officiating the Jelapang Padi & Stumbin Certified Paddy Seed Production and Processing Centre (SPPC) in Sri Aman today.
He said that with the vast paddy cultivation area, there is also a need for proper irrigation channels to ensure steady rice production.
He added that although the irrigation system is costly, the Sarawak government will gradually allocate funds for the development of rice cultivation.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said he has agreed to use new technology to cultivate paddy on 1,500 hectares of government land in Sri Aman.
He said he hoped that it would become a model for landowners to adopt new techniques in rice cultivation.
“I also have provided a large sum of allocation for the irrigation,” he said. — DayakDaily
