SERIAN: The Sarawak government is targeting to increase the self-sufficient level (SSL) for rice production to 60 per cent by 2030.
According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, Deputy Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Martin Ben said Sarawak had achieved 38 per cent rice production SSL thus far while the remainder was imported.
“The government has discussed food security, especially on the need for rice, which is heavily imported from countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia.
“There was a shortage of rice supply during the pandemic, causing exporting countries to reduce supply, hence the government imported rice from India and Pakistan,” he disclosed.
Martin was speaking at a paddy planting course at Kampung Bunan Gega on Monday (July 18).
He added that the state government would try to find allocations for wetlands to be used as paddy and rice production areas.
“So, I hope that the community will be able to give their support and cooperation so that the effort (to increase SSL for rice production) can be realised.”
The course was attended by 100 people from six villages, namely Kampung Bunan Gega, Kampung Bunan Punok, Kampung Terbat Mawang, Kampung Terbat Leban, Kampung Mujat and Kampung Mongkos.
