KUCHING: The Sarawak government will intensify efforts to boost local rice production, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Given the current global economic climate and ongoing trade wars, he stressed the importance of reducing reliance on imported goods, especially rice.
“At present, Sarawak imports around 245,000 tonnes of rice annually, while only 20 per cent of the state’s rice demand is met through local production,” he said.
“We have the land, and we have the facilities to support this. So why are we still importing rice?
“With the current unstable global economy and the imposition of tariffs, any disruption to imports will directly affect our food supply,” he said during the ‘Majlis Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri Anak Perantau Simanggang’ event today at Dewan HIKMAH.
He further stated that the government wants to produce 245,000 metric tonnes of paddy annually, a goal that is already showing promising results through a pilot project in Kampung Gedong in collaboration with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
“Using new methods, we’ve managed to produce nine metric tonnes per season, compared to just one tonne previously,” he said.
He added that similar projects will be rolled out in other targeted areas, such as Banting, Lingga and Tanjung Bijat, covering 10,000 hectares of land.
Abang Johari also highlighted the success of a paddy farming initiative in Kuala Rajang, managed by a private company that leased land from local residents.
The company achieved a yield of eight tonnes of rice, enabling landowners to earn up to RM3,000 per month.
“This shows that the land is not left idle. If one company fails, another can take over, and the landowners still benefit.
“This is part of the ongoing efforts we are undertaking,” he said.
