By Ashley Sim and Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 11: The Sarawak government has earmarked RM1 billion to develop irrigation infrastructure for large-scale, high-yield paddy cultivation projects.
This initiative aims to achieve rice self-sufficiency in Malaysia, with ongoing negotiations between the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (MFICORD) Sarawak and the Federal government for additional support.
The initial goal is to cultivate 10,000 hectares to produce 200,000 metric tonnes of rice annually.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that RM500 million has been allocated for MFICORD Sarawak to implement the irrigation system next year.
“Another half a billion will be allocated for 2026, totalling RM1 billion. So we must work hard to generate revenue for Sarawak to be reinvested back into the people,” he said when when officiating the 2nd Regional Conference on Agrobiodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation (RAC2) 2024 at Imperial Hotel here today.
Acknowledging the substantial investments of at least RM2 billion required for a large-scale paddy cultivation project, the Sarawak government has requested for Federal assistance, which was conveyed to Malaysia Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu during his visit to Kuching.
“If the Federal government allocates RM500 million, I will top it up with a similar amount. If they give RM1 billion, I will give RM1 billion as well. This will allow us to explore the potential of other identified areas in Sarawak for rice production such as Simunjan and Lundu.
“I briefed Mohd Sabu on Sarawak’s paddy cultivation plan. We compared areas between Stumbin, Lingga and Tanjung Bijat with that in Kedah as the areas in terms of acreage are more or less the same.
“The cost needed for irrigation in Kedah is about over RM1 billion, which also applies for the proposed development in Stumbin alone. Therefore, I requested for the Federal government to chip in,” he told reporters during a door-step interview.
Abang Johari highlighted that Mohd Sabu is committed to bringing this up to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Following positive research outcome from a pilot project, Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak is currently prioritising paddy cultivation in Stumbin, Sri Aman, using high-yield paddy species and adoption of new technology which has potential for achieving five harvests within 24 months.
“With one hectare producing eight tonnes of rice, five seasons could generate 40 tonnes per year. Villagers have five acres of land on average. Based on simulation and outcome of research, farmers can earn roughly RM6,000 per month, and this means lifting them out of the poverty bracket,” he said.
Through MFICORD, the Sarawak government aims to identify 10,000 hectares to produce over 200,000 metric tonnes of rice annually, with potential to boost production to 500,000 metric tonnes by identifying more suitable areas in the northern region, such as Lawas and Limbang.
“We can share with Malaysia to ensure national self-sufficiency and sustainability. Subsequently, we can cut reliance and reduce rice import from Vietnam, Thailand and India. In turn, we can explore export if there are excess,” he said.
MFICORD Minister Dato Sr Dr Stephen Rundi Utom along with his deputies Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Datuk Martin Ben, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) chairman Dr Azman Ismail and its deputy director-general (Research) Dr Asfaliza Ramli were among those present. — DayakDaily
