BY JACINTHA JOLENE & ALEXANDRA LORNA
TANJUNG MANIS: The Tanjung Manis Paddy Planting Scheme has successfully produced two harvests in a single year.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that 800 hectares have been developed under the scheme, with an additional potential of 260 hectares in Kuala Rajang.
According to him, the success of the project stems from a collaborative model between landowners and the private sector.
“The model works like this: the land belongs to the villagers, but it is developed by the private sector.
“The private sector invests in the development of the land, which would otherwise remain idle since villagers cannot cultivate it themselves due to high costs.
“Through modern farming methods and the use of machinery, the private sector can operate at an economic scale.
“At the same time, landowners benefit through rental or lease agreements with the companies. This way, both the operators and the landowners generate income,” he said.
Abang Johari said this during a press conference after visiting the Tanjung Manis Rice Granary today.
He added that the use of modern machinery and technology has shortened the paddy cultivation process to just three months.
“With machines, cultivating 100 to 200 hectares takes only about 50 minutes compared to conventional equipment.
“The same goes for harvesting – what used to be two seasons a year can now be increased to three,” he said.
With adequate land, Abang Johari expressed confidence that the state could produce up to 242,000 metric tonnes of rice, which would be sufficient for domestic consumption.
“If we can cultivate 14,000 hectares across Sarawak and later expand by another 14,000 hectares, production will double – from 240,000 to 480,000 metric tonnes. The surplus can then be exported.
“This is the outcome we aim to scale up, and by 2030, we may even be in a position to export rice while still meeting our own needs.
“With modern machines and technology, we can continue to grow and even double production,” he said.
