SARAWAK has been urged to take a stronger direct role in coordinating and accelerating the implementation of food security infrastructure projects, particularly in the Batang Lupar granary development area.
Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor said Section 6 of the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 empowered the Board to coordinate development programmes, infrastructure planning, technical services, commercialisation and industry development.
She suggested that the state government, through the Board, take a more direct coordinating role in implementing major infrastructure projects in Batang Lupar, including the granary development areas in Sri Aman and Betong divisions.
“Batang Lupar possesses enormous strategic potential to become Sarawak’s important food security hubs. However, we must acknowledge that the current production of performance for Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) Batang Lupar still remains lower compared to more established rice-producing areas such as Lubok Punggur and Tanjung Purun.
“Delays in infrastructure implementation continue to slow down the full realization of the project and when infrastructure is delayed, planting schedules are disrupted, water management becomes inconsistent, drainage problems occur, mechanization becomes difficult, operational costs increase, and investor confidence weakens.
“Therefore, the people of Batang Lupar place great hope that this initiative will continue progressing successfully and ultimately emerge as one of Sarawak’s proud food security success stories,” she said when debating in support of the Bill today (May 12).
Dayang Noorazah said the Granary Development Area is not only important to Sarawak, but to Malaysia’s future food security agenda.
She also said the development of the padi industry must be implemented through a complete business ecosystem approach instead of focusing on planting activities alone.
“If we truly want Batang Lupar and Sarawak to succeed as a modern rice ganary region, the entire value chain must be developed comprehensively from upstream to downstream.
“That is why the powers under Section 6 relating to commercialization, investment facilitation, research and marketing systems are extremely important. This Board must not only increase padi production, but it must also build a complete agricultural economy that truly uplifts the rakyat,” she added.
