By Dayangku Hidayatul
MIRI, Aug 6: The Sarawak government will support the establishment of a dedicated research centre and milling facility to accelerate the development of perennial rice, creating a complete value chain from research and cultivation to processing and potential exports.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the infrastructure would complement the success of the Perennial Rice Pilot Project by Borneoland Paddy Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Yunnan University, ensuring the technology could be further developed and commercialised.
“This achievement is the result of nearly 20 years of research and collaboration with Yunnan University.
“The Sarawak government, through the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development and the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA), would continue to back efforts to expand perennial rice cultivation,” he said during the Harvesting Ceremony of the Perennial Rice Pilot Project at SWRCH SK Kuala Baram here today, which was broadcasted live via Ukas Channel.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s success in producing perennial rice on a large scale placed the State at the forefront of agricultural innovation in Malaysia.
“As far as I know, Malaysia has yet to produce perennial rice on this scale. Sarawak is the first to produce perennial rice. We become the leader,” he said.
He added that Sarawak’s suitable soil and climate conditions provided strong potential for expanding cultivation to identified areas such as the Limbang-Lawas Valley, Gedong, Lingga, Daro and Jemoreng.
Beyond rice production, Abang Johari said the research collaboration with Yunnan University could also be expanded into other agricultural fields, including the study and development of indigenous Borneo crops, particularly fruits, to strengthen food security and create new export opportunities within the ASEAN region.
He also proposed broader cooperation in developing new orchid varieties as part of efforts to diversify Sarawak’s agricultural sector.
“Modern harvesting machines could be adjusted to the appropriate cutting height, allowing production to become faster and more efficient,” he said.
Abang Johari congratulated Borneoland Paddy Sdn Bhd and Yunnan University on the achievement, expressing hope that the project would become a major milestone in Sarawak’s agricultural transformation and rice production. — DayakDaily
