The proposed Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill 2026 is a major step towards strengthening Sarawak’s food security, economic resilience and rural development through a more modern and strategic agricultural ecosystem.
Having said this, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang said the establishment of the Bill would help reduce the state’s dependence on external food supply while improving long-term sustainability.
He said recent global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, export restrictions and climate uncertainties, had exposed vulnerabilities faced by food-importing regions.
“Food is no longer just about agriculture; food is about security, stability and sovereignty,” he said this when debating in support of the Bill at the august House today (May12).
Wilson said the Board would not only regulate and coordinate the padi and rice industry, but also drive research, investment, commercialization, quality control and marketing strategies to modernise the sector.
He added that the legislation covers the entire rice ecosystem, including planting, processing, manufacturing, storage, distribution, import, export and commercialization, which could stimulate agro-processing industries, logistics, packaging and rural entrepreneurship.
Wilson welcomed provisions allowing the state government to declare padi development areas, saying rural regions with suitable agricultural land could benefit from better coordination, infrastructure and technical support.
He also stressed the importance of technology-driven agriculture, including precision farming, smart irrigation, biotechnology and AI-based monitoring systems, to position Sarawak as a future food-producing powerhouse.
He also called for stronger infrastructure, youth participation, market security and inclusive policies to ensure benefits reach rural communities, smallholders and Native landowners across Sarawak.
