KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak’s vast agricultural potential must be strategically harnessed to reinforce Malaysia’s food security and reduce the nation’s reliance on imports.
During the Committee Stage Debate on the Supply Bill 2026 in Parliament on Tuesday, Batang Sadong Member of Parliament (MP), Rodiyah Sapiee, urged the federal government to prioritise the modernisation of paddy cultivation, livestock production, and agricultural training, describing Sarawak as “a key driver of the nation’s food security agenda”.
She cautioned that Malaysia’s rice self-sufficiency ratio (SSR) is projected to fall to 59.9 per cent by 2026, far below the national target of 65 per cent, underscoring the need for stronger policy execution and modernisation measures.
“Our policy framework must be reinforced through modern irrigation systems and data-based yield forecasting technologies to enhance productivity and ensure long-term sustainability,” she said.
Rodiyah proposed that allocations under the Pembangunan Industri Padi (PIP) programme incorporate climate change adaptation measures, including research and development (R&D) on heat-tolerant rice varieties, the adoption of smart agriculture technologies, and the use of renewable energy-powered irrigation systems.
She further called on the federal government to support the development of new paddy zones in Lundu, Simunjan and Gedong, as proposed by the Sarawak Government, emphasising their potential to transform Sarawak into Malaysia’s second rice production hub.
In supporting the MP’s stance, Dr Dzul Hadzwan Husaini of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak said Sarawak should be recognised as a “major economic powerhouse in advancing Malaysia’s food security agenda”.
“With vast tracts of arable land still underdeveloped, Sarawak has the strategic capacity to become Malaysia’s second rice bowl, complementing Kedah,” he said in a statement today.
He stressed that advancing Sarawak’s agricultural potential requires a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing upgraded irrigation and agro-logistics systems, modern processing and storage facilities, and strong value chains linking upstream and downstream sectors.
“Value creation and income generation must occur within the country, not just at the farm level. At the same time, we must embrace high-technology agriculture, as these traditional methods alone will not yield high returns,” he added.
Dzul Hadzwan said investment in R&D and climate-resilient crop varieties is vital, given growing threats to soil fertility and yield stability.
“Japan’s adaptive farming systems offer valuable lessons for Malaysia,” he opined.
He added that food security is no longer just an economic issue, but a matter of national resilience and strategic sovereignty.
“Malaysia must strengthen its domestic production to safeguard against external shocks,” he stressed. “Strengthening local agriculture is about protecting livelihoods, stability, and national sovereignty.”
