This Content Is Only For Subscribers
By Shikin Louis & Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 22: Sarawak will require the support of federal funding to develop drainage and irrigation systems for large-scale, high-yield paddy cultivation within the State as the identified Banting site in Sri Aman alone necessitates an estimated RM1 billion investment.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said initial discussion with the Federal government has been made to identify sites for large-scale paddy planting project in Sarawak, namely Banting in Sri Aman, Lubok Punggor in Simunjan, Tanjung Purun in Lundu, Betong and hill paddy in Baram.
“The condition is that we must develop drainage and irrigation systems which are very costly. We have estimated at least RM1 billion to develop a drainage and irrigation system in Sri Aman alone.
“Without drainage and irrigation, probably it will not be effective,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak Agrofest 2023 held at Celebration Square, Petra Jaya here today.
He further noted that paddy is a controlled item which serve as a hindrance for paddy growers to increase their income.
Therefore, he has called for paddy growers to venture into the downstream industry by producing rice-based products.
“Rice can become a material for us to produce rice flour and rice flour could become biscuits, cookies and all that. From there, the paddy growers can get extra income.
“Thus, for Sarawak, we are focusing not only on rice production but also rice as feedstock and (export) based on demand.
“We must also diversify the products made from rice. If not, our income will remain stagnant,” he added.
Asked whether the identified paddy sites would be gazetted, he said the suggestion would be studied but so far, the government has only considered implementing a zoning system for these areas.
Additionally, he said the Sarawak government is currently working with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Bintulu Campus to conduct research on increasing rice productivity with a target of three harvests in 18 months.
Among those in attendance were Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai, former Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development (Food Industry) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodity, and Regional Development (Commodity and Regional Development) Maclaine@Martin Ben, and M-FICORD permanent secretary Sirai Daha. — DayakDaily
