By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Aug 3: Sarawak aims to become a regional hub for sustainable agriculture and agri-food innovation by leveraging technology, research and its natural resources.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said Sarawak’s vast land resources, rich biodiversity, renewable energy potential and diverse agricultural ecosystems provided a strong foundation to develop climate-smart agriculture, strengthen food production systems and expand value-added agro-based industries.
“Sarawak is uniquely positioned to become a regional leader in sustainable agriculture and agri-food innovation,” he said when officiating the 3rd Congress on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security (COSAFS2026) at Imperial Hotel in Bintulu today, which was broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS).
Abang Johari said agriculture had always been more than simply producing food for Sarawak, as it was also about ensuring food security, creating quality employment, generating economic prosperity for rural communities, protecting biodiversity and safeguarding the well-being of future generations.
He said under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), food security had been identified as one of Sarawak’s strategic priorities.
The Premier said Sarawak’s aspiration was to transform agriculture into a modern, technology-driven and high-income industry through innovation, digital transformation, precision agriculture, biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), automation, renewable energy integration and sustainable resource management.
“However, this transformation is not merely about increasing productivity. It is about producing sustainably while protecting our forests, conserving biodiversity, managing water resources responsibly and ensuring that development today does not compromise the needs of future generations,” he said.
Abang Johari highlighted AgriHub as one of the initiatives supporting Sarawak’s sustainable agricultural development agenda, saying it demonstrated how research, innovation and collaboration with local communities could strengthen productivity and food security.
“Building on the encouraging progress achieved in Gedong, the AgriHub approach continues to be extended to other strategic locations, supporting Sarawak’s broader agenda for sustainable agricultural development,” he said.
At the event, Abang Johari also launched AgriHub Gedong, AgriHub Layar and AgriHub Marudi, further expanding the initiative as part of Sarawak’s efforts to strengthen its sustainable agri-food ecosystem.
The Premier also stressed the importance of combining data and technology to drive agricultural innovation and improve food production efficiency.
“It is the belief of the Sarawak government that you have to combine data and technology together. Data is a very important input for us to progress further through innovation and therefore efficient production of food for the community and the world at large,” he said.
He said climate change remained a major global challenge that required innovative solutions from all countries, whether developed or developing.
“Every country, whether it’s a developed country or developing country, must express concern and have to have an innovative approach to solve the global problem of climate change,” he said.
Abang Johari said developing human capital was also crucial in strengthening Sarawak’s agri-food sector, citing the establishment of the School of Veterinary and Animal Science (SVAS) as an effort to build local capacity in veterinary medicine, animal health and livestock development.
He added that Sarawak’s food production strategy also included fisheries, noting that the State’s rich continental shelf provided opportunities to harvest local fish resources along its coastline, alongside strengthening the agriculture sector.
“Not to forget also production of fish. We have a very rich continental shelf where we can harvest local fish along our coast and of course our agriculture sector,” he said.
He said achieving Sarawak’s agricultural ambitions required strong partnerships among academia, industry, government and the wider community.
The Premier said platforms such as COSAFS2026 played an important role in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, policy dialogue, technology transfer and international networking.
He expressed confidence that discussions and partnerships emerging from the congress would contribute towards achieving global food security while supporting sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship.
“The future of agriculture must be one that empowers farmers, attracts young talent, encourages entrepreneurship and strengthens community resilience,” he said.
COSAFS2026 is organised by Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak together with its collaborating partners, bringing together researchers, industry players, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss sustainable agriculture and food security. — DayakDaily
