By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 14: Sarawak has approved RM11.1 million to expand the grain corn project in Kampung Labak Tungan as part of efforts to reduce the State’s reliance on imported livestock feed and strengthen food security.
According to a TVS report, the expansion comes as Sarawak continues to spend hundreds of millions of ringgit annually importing grain corn for animal feed, highlighting the need to boost local production.
Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus said the allocation comprises RM3.5 million to enlarge the grain corn cultivation area while RM7.6 million channelled through the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA), will fund the construction of farm roads, supporting infrastructure and a processing plant.
“The funding was approved following the success of the Kampung Labak Tungan grain corn project, which has emerged as a model for community based agricultural development in the area.
“When residents demonstrate commitment and work collectively to develop their land, the government is prepared to provide assistance through the relevant agencies and development allocations,” he said this during a working visit to the Kampung Labak Tungan Grain Corn Farm today.
He also encouraged more villages to emulate Kampung Labak Tungan’s success by undertaking agricultural projects capable of generating higher incomes and strengthening rural economies.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (MFICORD) Datuk Martin Ben said Sarawak spent about RM429 million importing grain corn for livestock feed this year, underlining the significant potential for increasing local production.
“In 2024, Sarawak imported about RM427 million worth of grain corn. This year, the figure has increased slightly to RM429 million. As of May alone, we have already spent more than RM160 million on grain corn imports,” he said at the same working visit.
Martin said the figures reflected the vast opportunity to produce grain corn locally instead of relying heavily on imports, adding that the success of the Kampung Labak Tungan project had demonstrated that commercial grain corn cultivation is viable in Sarawak with continued support from the government and local communities. — DayakDaily
