By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 28: Sarawak is offering to match any additional Federal allocation for paddy development on a one-to-one basis, on top of the RM1 billion it has already committed to boost rice production in the State.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposed one-to-one funding would specifically help accelerate the costly irrigation and drainage infrastructure needed to expand paddy cultivation.
He said Sarawak had already allocated RM1 billion for paddy development but was prepared to provide an equivalent amount if the federal government increased its allocation, as rice production was a national food security agenda.
“The RM1 billion I mentioned earlier is separate. If we receive additional funding, we will provide one-to-one matching because this is a national agenda, not just Sarawak’s agenda.
“This will allow us to increase our rice production,” he told reporters after officiating Sarawak Agrofest 2026 in Bintulu today, which was broadcast live by the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) across its social media platforms.
Abang Johari further said paddy cultivation required substantial investment, particularly in irrigation, with the construction of water channels and other infrastructure taking time and resources.
He said Sarawak had identified about 14,000 hectares for paddy cultivation, with about 7,000 hectares involving State land to be gazetted specifically for paddy.
“The reason we gazette it is because otherwise the land may be used for other crops. Paddy is grown in stages and its returns may be lower, so there is a possibility that the land could be used for oil palm, where the returns are higher,” he said.
He said the State wanted to ensure the identified land remained dedicated to paddy production as it worked to strengthen Sarawak’s contribution to Malaysia’s rice supply.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s push to increase paddy production was becoming more urgent amid climate change, which was disrupting food production in various parts of the world.
He said Malaysia could not continue relying solely on imported rice and needed to increase domestic production.
“We cannot depend on other countries alone, and we must increase production in the country,” he said.
He also said Sarawak had the land to expand paddy cultivation and was also focusing on technology to increase yields and make the crop more profitable for farmers.
In his speech earlier, Abang Johari cited his Gedong constituency as an example, where paddy yields had increased from about 1.2 tonnes per hectare to between six and eight tonnes per hectare through collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the use of technology.
“This means six times more using technology. It also means the farmers’ income is six times higher,” he said.
He said Sarawak was also exploring hybrid and perennial rice varieties, including a pilot perennial rice project in Kuala Baram in collaboration with Yunnan University.
The State government, he added, was developing a laboratory in Kuala Baram with the university and local scientists to study the rice seeds and soil conditions before considering expansion to other suitable areas.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said he would bring Sarawak’s request for additional Federal funding to the Cabinet.
“If Sarawak can produce enough for Sarawak, that means it is already helping the country’s self-sufficiency level (SSL),” he said.
Mohamad said modernising padi cultivation was crucial as much of the sector was still being carried out on a small scale using traditional methods.
He said Malaysia would find it difficult to reach at least 80 per cent rice SSL within the next seven to eight years without shifting towards modern technology.
“The emphasis by the Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and the Premier on modernisation is very important. If we do not move towards modern technology, it will be very difficult for us to reach at least 80 per cent SSL in the next seven to eight years,” he said.
Mohamad also said the federal government was seeking to increase allocations for food security, particularly with the potential impact of El Nino this year and next year.
“Food security is important to all Malaysians, regardless of which State they are in,” he said. — DayakDaily
