KUCHING, March 22: A sum of RM11.78 million has been spent since 2017 to develop the Tanjung Purun Paddy Planting Project at Kampung Stunggang Melayu Lama at Lundu near here.
This is inclusive of the RM7.3 million used to construct and upgrade its drainage and irrigation infrastructure and related other works.
A variety of machine like harvesters, transplanters, power tillers, power sprayers, dryer, tractors, backpack motorised high precision seeders and also spraying drones were seen to be used on the 88-hectare paddy field.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas visited the project site yesterday.
Accompanying him were Tanjung Datu assemblywoman Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Modern Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Edwin Abit and Agriculture Department director Dr Alvin Chai.
The Kuching Division Agriculture officer Chong Mui Sia who was also present briefed Uggah on the project.
In a statement later, she said Uggah who is the Minister of Agriculture Modernisation, Native Land and Regional Development had instructed the department to come up with a comprehensive management system to allow double cropping to be implemented this year.
“With double cropping, the harvest target is seven tonnes per hectare. The national average is eight ton per hectare,” said Uggah.
Meanwhile, there are 10 varieties of paddy being planted under the Tanjung Purun Paddy Planting Project. These varieties include Merah, Pandan, Retih, Pulut Cina, Pulut Hitam, MR 219, MR 263, MRQ 76, Black Berry and Lombok.
In 2019, the average harvest was 4,037 kilogram per hectare, with 75 hectares planted and 92 farmers involved.
Last year, the cultivated areas increased to 88 hectares and the number of farmers, 96.
The yield is still under study. — DayakDaily
