By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 19: Sarawak will commence planting activities this June at a 10-hectare Biris paddy seed production farm in Lubok Punggor, Gedong, as part of efforts to sustain the State’s premium local rice variety and strengthen food security.
Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the project, to be implemented through the Department of Agriculture Sarawak in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak, will produce seeds to support the development of an additional 54 hectares of paddy cultivation areas in Lubok Punggor and surrounding locations.
On paddy development, Dr Rundi described the passing of the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 on May 12 as a significant milestone in strengthening Sarawak’s food security and building a more resilient and sustainable rice industry.
To address longstanding challenges in paddy cultivation, he said Sarawak would implement a new commercial paddy development approach through the Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) model.
He revealed that the DBOT model had recently received approval from the State Cabinet during its April 2026 meeting.
According to him, the model is aimed at attracting greater private sector participation, expediting project implementation, and ensuring high standards of quality and integrity in commercial paddy development.
“The DBOT model provides a commercially attractive structure by reducing upfront infrastructure risk for investors while imposing clear performance obligations.
“This enables the private sector to focus on efficient farm operations, mechanisation, and productivity enhancement,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly today.
Under the arrangement, the Sarawak government will provide suitable land, establish project requirements, facilitate regulatory approvals, and oversee project implementation and compliance throughout the concession period.
Meanwhile, operators appointed under the model will be responsible for financing, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining project infrastructure, in addition to managing commercial farm operations in line with agreed safety, environmental, and operational standards.
Upon expiry of the concession period, all project assets will be transferred back to the government.
Dr Rundi disclosed that implementation of the initiative would be carried out through a Request for Proposal (RFP) procurement process, with 52 companies having already expressed interest in participating.
“The process will involve proposal submissions by potential investors, evaluation by the Technical and Financial Evaluation Committee, endorsement by the State Cost Committee, and approval by the State Cabinet.
“It is anticipated that the selected companies will be appointed by the end of this year,” he added.
